Interview with the founder of wikipedias who admits that established
publications can be completely wrong. He knows about it personally
because Britannica got his birthday wrong.
http://www.psfk.com/2011/02/interview-wikipedias-jimmy-wales.html
though he eventually repented, to the extent that, for a long time, it
gave him the wrong birthday. "They got it from Britannica," he once
said, "and Britannica got it wrong."
For Wales, this only reinforces a point of principle. "You shouldn't
really use Wikipedia as the sole source for anything, ever. You
shouldn't use anything as the sole source for anything, in my view."
He is, in fact, generally dismissive of traditional modes of authority
– peer-reviewed journals, the requirement for strings of letters after
names.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Libya has a population of 6.4million
Playing Counterstrike in a land with a population of 6.4 million. That
is not that much bigger than Sabah.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703498804576157460505874944.html
Dow Jones Reprints: This copy is for your personal, non-
commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for
distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers, use the Order
Reprints tool at the bottom of any article or visit www.djreprints.com
See a sample reprint in PDF format. Order a reprint of this
article now
* The Wall Street Journal
* MIDDLE EAST NEWS
* FEBRUARY 21, 2011, 2:12 P.M. ET
Libya Violence Spirals
By CHARLES LEVINSON and TAHANI KARRAR-LEWSLEY
CAIRO—Unrest in Libya spiraled into open deadly confrontation Monday,
with an international umbrella group of Libyan opposition parties
reporting that hundreds of thousands of people were on their way to
the country's capital as government forces shelled protesters by air.
Amateur footage shows protests spreading to Libya's capital city while
Gaddafi's son called on the nation to work with the regime to "create
a new Libya".
The unrest came after the son of leader Moammar Gadhafi addressed
Libyans early Monday morning and blamed unrest on foreign agents, drug
dealers and Islamic radicals, warning that the regime's fall would
bring poverty and civil war on Libya.
Col. Gadhafi's 38-year-old son Seif al-Islam Gadhafi said in a
defiant, rambling and confused speech early Monday morning on state
television that his father, backed by the army, was leading the battle
against those seeking to destroy Libya. "Moammar Gadhafi is in Tripoli
leading the battle," the younger Gadhafi said in a bid to dispel
rumors reported earlier by Arab satellite channels that the Libyan
leader had fled the country for South America. Such reports, which
couldn't be verified, continued Monday.
Residents in Tripoli said military troop transport helicopters were
conducting frequent flights Monday afternoon, taking off from the east
of Tripoli from the direction of the military airport there and flying
southwest of the capital. Also, residents reported that several
Antonov military cargo planes were flying over Tripoli, moving in the
direction of the Mitiga military airbase on the east side of town.
Two residents in Tripoli said they saw black African soldiers deplane
from the military transport flights, wearing blue and green special
forces uniforms. It is unclear where the troops came from, the
residents said.
The residents said crowds of people supporting Col. Gadhafi have
entered the downtown Green Square and chanting for the need for
stability in the country. "They have come in strong numbers. It
doesn't feel safe there right now," said Walid, a Tripoli resident.
In the Gargash neighborhood of the capital, two buildings housing
Libyan television channels—the Al Shababiya satellite channel and
Libya's Channel 2 state television—have been looted and burned, these
residents said. Those channels stopped transmission for a short time
early Monday morning but came back on the air, presumably from
different locations, according to residents.
Attempts to call Libyan telephones were unsuccessful late Monday. Al
Jazeera news service reported that land and mobile communications from
the country had been cut.
Human Rights Watch said it had confirmed 233 deaths in protests so
far.
Tawfiq Alghazwani, a Dublin-based member of the National Congress of
Libyan Opposition, an umbrella group of opponents of Mr. Gadhafi's
regime, said he expected the death toll to rise considerably amid
reports the government forces were shooting demonstrators from the
ground and air.
"We are hearing Gadhafi's airplanes are shelling," said Mr.
Alghazwani, who has based his reports on witness accounts from around
Libya. He has reported heavy violence in the eastern part of the
country, a traditional stronghold of the opposition.
View Full Image
libyaprotests
Reuters
Still image from a video footage shows Libya's leader Moammar Gadhafi
gesturing to his supporters during a rally in Nalut, Feb. 19.
libyaprotests
libyaprotests
More
* U.S.: Punish Officials Responsible for Violence
* Companies Suspend Libya Operations
* Earlier: Nearly 100 Killed in Libya Crackdown
* Interactive: Uprising in the Middle East
Moammar Gadhafi's Libya
See some key dates in Col. Gadhafi's nearly 42-year reign.
View Interactive
Libya Protests Intensify
View Slideshow
[SB10001424052748704476604576158360734876694]
Associated Press
* More photos and interactive graphics
"Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators from outside Tripoli were
making their way to Tripoli to participate in the demonstrations," Mr.
Alghazwani added late Monday.
There were reports late Monday night that the city of Benghazi in the
east had fallen firmly into protesters' hands, after the last army
base in the city was stormed by protesters. Those reports couldn't be
independently confirmed.
In his long speech, Seif Gadhafi pledged to begin political reforms in
the country, including drafting a constitution and relaxing
restrictions on press and civil society. But he focused the majority
of his speech on blaming Egypt, Tunisia and other Arab and African
countries for sending agents to Libya to destroy the country and steal
its oil. He blamed Islamic radicals for much of the violence in the
eastern half of the country
He warned Libyans that Mr. Gadhafi's ouster after 42 years in power
would lead the country into civil war and a "spiral of violence worse
than Iraq."
A senior U.S. administration official said the White House is
analyzing the speech "to see what possibilities it contains for
meaningful reform." The official added: "We will seek clarification
from senior Libyan officials, as we continue to raise with them the
need to avoid violence against peaceful protesters and respect
universal rights."
The 40-minute, prerecorded speech came as his father's hold on the
country appeared to be slipping away, with reports of violence and
unrest in the capital Tripoli escalating and the hold of the police
and army in the country seemed to be evaporating.
The Tripoli residents reported gunfire in the capital Monday and
increasing numbers of protesters taking to the streets. The antiregime
protests that swept about 10 cities across the country last week had
been largely absent from Tripoli until Sunday, when thousands of
protesters took to the streets in an attempt to take over the central
Green Square from a crowd of regime supporters, according to the
Tripoli residents.
Some were trying organize new protests Monday. "This morning, the
situation is insecure, there are some people that are saying Green
Square has no forces and people are trying to organize another
demonstration in the afternoon," said Mohamed, a Tripoli resident.
Tripoli resident Walid said he and a handful of his friends had gone
to the square on Sunday, chanting and protesting against the
government. He said that by Sunday afternoon the crowd at the square
was in the thousands and was mostly comprised of men under 30 years of
age.
In the late afternoon, gunshots rang out in the crowd, he said. "No
one could tell where the bullets were coming from. Bullets were flying
in the air and bodies were falling," Walid said.
He said his friend saw two men standing next to him shot in the chest
and killed.
Overnight, militia members without uniforms drove through the streets
of the capital with heavy machine guns mounted on the backs of Land
Cruiser sport-utility vehicles, residents said. Walid's neighbor, who
heard the militiamen speak, said they spoke with accents like those of
people from eastern Libya near the Egyptian border.
Walid said that the mood in Tripoli is turning against the government
due to the bloodshed over the weekend. "We listened to Seif al-Islam
but he was speaking only lies. We are at a point of no return. Now,
they are killing Libyans. We don't trust him and his family. We've
known them for 40 years. He [Col. Ghadhafi] would rather kill us than
talk with us."
Protests also sprang up Sunday on the outskirts of Tripoli for the
first time since the unrest began five days ago, according to
residents. Though the protests were quickly quashed by security forces
deployed in force throughout the capital, the spread of unrest to Mr.
Gadhafi's center of power was a sign that demonstrations were gaining
momentum and no longer confined to the country's eastern half.
Late Sunday, the country's Warfala tribe, one of the largest among
Libya's population of 6.4 million, announced it was throwing its heft
behind the protesters, suggesting momentum was tipping further against
Mr. Gadhafi.
View Full Image
libyaNEW
Associated Press
A video image broadcast on Libyan state television shows numerous
supporters cheering Col. Gadhafi at an event in Tripoli Saturday.
libyaNEW
libyaNEW
No Confirmation That Gadhafi Left Libya
Earlier in the day in eastern Libya, residents of several cities said
government security forces had withdrawn from the streets to their
bases, ceding all or parts of cities to protesters, at least for now.
Uprising in the Middle East
View Interactive
See photos from protests from Algeria to Yemen.
Mideast Mosaic
View Interactive
A look at the economic and political status of selected countries
facing unrest in North Africa and the Middle East.
Regional Upheaval
View Interactive
Track demonstrations day by day.
* More photos and interactive graphics
In Baida, east of Benghazi and close to Libya's border with Egypt,
witnesses said local police turned their guns on the army's second
brigade after it deployed inside the city and fired live ammunition at
protesters. The local police's flip forced the surprised army forces
to withdraw to the airport on the city's outskirts, according to
witnesses.
Libyan state TV broadcast images of burning buildings and blamed the
"acts of sabotage and burning" on "foreign agents," echoing the
attempts made by other Arab leaders in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and
Yemen to dismiss the domestic unrest.
Residents said it was the first time government media had acknowledged
the growing protests, suggesting the violence was spreading to the
point that the government had no choice but to address it directly.
The fiercest fighting appeared to be raging in Benghazi, Libya's
second-largest city, on the country's northeast coast. Benghazi
residents said some neighborhoods of the city had been consumed by
full-fledged urban warfare between protesters and progovernment
forces. Residents said pro-Gadhafi loyalists driving around in cars
fired rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns at anyone in the
streets.
For the first time since protests started on Feb. 15, there were
numerous reports that protesters had seized weapons caches from
abandoned government bases and had gone on the offensive against
government barracks.
"The soldiers have fled and the citizens have taken their weapons,"
one resident of Benghazi said in a telephone interview. "Citizens now
have rocket-propelled grenades, Kalashnikovs and hand grenades. I can
hear the bullets now and RPGs and people beeping their car horn in
celebrations."
Fears of More Violence
Many residents and activists inside and outside Libya said they feared
the coming days could see a sharp escalation in violence.
"There are really no constraints at all on what Gadhafi can do and
we've reached the point where a lot of peaceful protesters are
starting to arm themselves to do battle," said Heba Morayef, a
researcher for Human Rights Watch following events in Libya.
A U.S. official said Sunday that the State Department checked and
couldn't confirm reports that Col. Gadhafi had left Libya. The
official said the U.S. has been in regular contact with Libyan
officials over the past two days, urging an end of the use of force.
But the official said Washington hasn't been in direct contact with
the Gadhafi family.
"We are continually assessing the situation on the ground and urging
restraint," said the senior U.S. official. The highest level contact
was Friday, the official said, when the State Department's Assistant
Secretary of State for Near East affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, called
Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa.
The U.S.'s ambassador to Libya, Gene Cretz, has been out of Tripoli
for more than a month in the wake of the leaking of diplomatic cables
by the Website WikiLeaks. In one of the cables, Mr. Cretz wrote to the
State Department about what he described as Col. Gadhafi's erratic
behavior, drawing a rebuke from the Libyan government. U.S. officials
said Mr. Cretz was recalled, in part, due to concerns about his
security in Tripoli.
Dirk Vandewalle, an expert on Libya's politics and history at
Dartmouth College, said that the government's security forces "are
known to be very vicious."
"No mater how high the human cost, they know they have to put these
demonstrations down, because if they fail, they're the ones that will
pay the highest price," he said. "They have absolutely nothing to
lose."
The country's eastern half, of which Benghazi is the hub, has a long
history of resistance to outsiders and of friction with Mr. Gadhafi's
government in Tripoli.
Since taking power in a coup in 1969, Mr. Gadhafi has sidelined the
region's tribes in favor of his own Qatatfa tribe in the competition
for government posts. Though much of the country's oil wealth is in
the east, the territory sees a disproportionately low share of state
investment and resources.
The current unrest traces its roots back to an uprising by student
Islamists in the 1990s that Mr. Gadhafi viciously suppressed. Mr.
Gadhafi deployed the army's feared second brigade, commanded by one of
his sons, Khamis, against the students. Those who weren't killed in
the ensuing mayhem were thrown in jail, many of them in Tripoli's Abu
Salim Prison.
About a year later, in 1996, prisoners at Abu Salim, many of whom were
from Benghazi, launched an uprising. The regime took no mercy on the
prison rebels. The ensuing bombardment left 1,200 prisoners dead,
according to Human Rights Watch.
Ever since, the "Abu Salim massacre," as it is known to many Libyans,
has been a rallying cry for activists and opposition in Libya, and a
thorn in the regime's side.
The protests now shaking the country first flared outside Benghazi's
courthouse on Feb. 15 after security forces arrested two outspoken
members of the families of victims of the Abu Salim incident in 1996,
as well as a human-rights lawyer, pushing their demands for
compensation from the government, according to human-rights activists.
The early days of protest saw scattered violence. On Saturday, the
violence escalated dramatically, according to residents of Benghazi
and human-rights activists. Residents finished burying one of the
early victims of the protests in Benghazi. As they marched from the
graveyard and neared an army base in downtown Benghazi, soldiers
opened fire with machine guns, according to numerous accounts from
residents.
"It's like a guerrilla war," a female resident of Benghazi said Sunday
morning. "There is a battle going on, and sometimes one part is
controlled by the protesters, and sometimes other parts are. There are
corpses in the street."
On Sunday, several residents said the base appeared to be the last
bastion where government forces were concentrated in Benghazi.
"Neither side has complete control of Benghazi," said a student in
Benghazi who would identify himself only as Abdullah. He said the
government had cut electricity in parts of the city. He said he had
seen 13 dead bodies in just one part of the city.
The Internet remains down in most of the country after the government
shut down servers early Saturday morning, according to Renesys, an
Internet access watchdog. Journalists were banned from entering the
country or reporting on events, making it impossible to confirm many
of the reports from residents.
Residents reached by phone were gripped by fear, unwilling to give
their names over the telephone for fear that the government was
monitoring phone calls. A Libyan journalist in Tripoli said some of
his colleagues who had spoken with Arab TV stations had been arrested
within minutes of speaking on air.
Oil is at the heart of the Libyan economy. The oil sector contributes
about 95% of export earnings and 60% of public-sector wages, according
to economists. According to the 2008 BP Statistical Energy Survey,
Libya had proven oil reserves of 41.464 billion barrels at the end of
2007, or 3.34% of the world's reserves.
—Margaret Coker, Adam Entous and Jay Solomon contributed to this
article.
Write to Charles Levinson at charles.levinson@wsj.com
is not that much bigger than Sabah.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703498804576157460505874944.html
Dow Jones Reprints: This copy is for your personal, non-
commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for
distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers, use the Order
Reprints tool at the bottom of any article or visit www.djreprints.com
See a sample reprint in PDF format. Order a reprint of this
article now
* The Wall Street Journal
* MIDDLE EAST NEWS
* FEBRUARY 21, 2011, 2:12 P.M. ET
Libya Violence Spirals
By CHARLES LEVINSON and TAHANI KARRAR-LEWSLEY
CAIRO—Unrest in Libya spiraled into open deadly confrontation Monday,
with an international umbrella group of Libyan opposition parties
reporting that hundreds of thousands of people were on their way to
the country's capital as government forces shelled protesters by air.
Amateur footage shows protests spreading to Libya's capital city while
Gaddafi's son called on the nation to work with the regime to "create
a new Libya".
The unrest came after the son of leader Moammar Gadhafi addressed
Libyans early Monday morning and blamed unrest on foreign agents, drug
dealers and Islamic radicals, warning that the regime's fall would
bring poverty and civil war on Libya.
Col. Gadhafi's 38-year-old son Seif al-Islam Gadhafi said in a
defiant, rambling and confused speech early Monday morning on state
television that his father, backed by the army, was leading the battle
against those seeking to destroy Libya. "Moammar Gadhafi is in Tripoli
leading the battle," the younger Gadhafi said in a bid to dispel
rumors reported earlier by Arab satellite channels that the Libyan
leader had fled the country for South America. Such reports, which
couldn't be verified, continued Monday.
Residents in Tripoli said military troop transport helicopters were
conducting frequent flights Monday afternoon, taking off from the east
of Tripoli from the direction of the military airport there and flying
southwest of the capital. Also, residents reported that several
Antonov military cargo planes were flying over Tripoli, moving in the
direction of the Mitiga military airbase on the east side of town.
Two residents in Tripoli said they saw black African soldiers deplane
from the military transport flights, wearing blue and green special
forces uniforms. It is unclear where the troops came from, the
residents said.
The residents said crowds of people supporting Col. Gadhafi have
entered the downtown Green Square and chanting for the need for
stability in the country. "They have come in strong numbers. It
doesn't feel safe there right now," said Walid, a Tripoli resident.
In the Gargash neighborhood of the capital, two buildings housing
Libyan television channels—the Al Shababiya satellite channel and
Libya's Channel 2 state television—have been looted and burned, these
residents said. Those channels stopped transmission for a short time
early Monday morning but came back on the air, presumably from
different locations, according to residents.
Attempts to call Libyan telephones were unsuccessful late Monday. Al
Jazeera news service reported that land and mobile communications from
the country had been cut.
Human Rights Watch said it had confirmed 233 deaths in protests so
far.
Tawfiq Alghazwani, a Dublin-based member of the National Congress of
Libyan Opposition, an umbrella group of opponents of Mr. Gadhafi's
regime, said he expected the death toll to rise considerably amid
reports the government forces were shooting demonstrators from the
ground and air.
"We are hearing Gadhafi's airplanes are shelling," said Mr.
Alghazwani, who has based his reports on witness accounts from around
Libya. He has reported heavy violence in the eastern part of the
country, a traditional stronghold of the opposition.
View Full Image
libyaprotests
Reuters
Still image from a video footage shows Libya's leader Moammar Gadhafi
gesturing to his supporters during a rally in Nalut, Feb. 19.
libyaprotests
libyaprotests
More
* U.S.: Punish Officials Responsible for Violence
* Companies Suspend Libya Operations
* Earlier: Nearly 100 Killed in Libya Crackdown
* Interactive: Uprising in the Middle East
Moammar Gadhafi's Libya
See some key dates in Col. Gadhafi's nearly 42-year reign.
View Interactive
Libya Protests Intensify
View Slideshow
[SB10001424052748704476604576158360734876694]
Associated Press
* More photos and interactive graphics
"Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators from outside Tripoli were
making their way to Tripoli to participate in the demonstrations," Mr.
Alghazwani added late Monday.
There were reports late Monday night that the city of Benghazi in the
east had fallen firmly into protesters' hands, after the last army
base in the city was stormed by protesters. Those reports couldn't be
independently confirmed.
In his long speech, Seif Gadhafi pledged to begin political reforms in
the country, including drafting a constitution and relaxing
restrictions on press and civil society. But he focused the majority
of his speech on blaming Egypt, Tunisia and other Arab and African
countries for sending agents to Libya to destroy the country and steal
its oil. He blamed Islamic radicals for much of the violence in the
eastern half of the country
He warned Libyans that Mr. Gadhafi's ouster after 42 years in power
would lead the country into civil war and a "spiral of violence worse
than Iraq."
A senior U.S. administration official said the White House is
analyzing the speech "to see what possibilities it contains for
meaningful reform." The official added: "We will seek clarification
from senior Libyan officials, as we continue to raise with them the
need to avoid violence against peaceful protesters and respect
universal rights."
The 40-minute, prerecorded speech came as his father's hold on the
country appeared to be slipping away, with reports of violence and
unrest in the capital Tripoli escalating and the hold of the police
and army in the country seemed to be evaporating.
The Tripoli residents reported gunfire in the capital Monday and
increasing numbers of protesters taking to the streets. The antiregime
protests that swept about 10 cities across the country last week had
been largely absent from Tripoli until Sunday, when thousands of
protesters took to the streets in an attempt to take over the central
Green Square from a crowd of regime supporters, according to the
Tripoli residents.
Some were trying organize new protests Monday. "This morning, the
situation is insecure, there are some people that are saying Green
Square has no forces and people are trying to organize another
demonstration in the afternoon," said Mohamed, a Tripoli resident.
Tripoli resident Walid said he and a handful of his friends had gone
to the square on Sunday, chanting and protesting against the
government. He said that by Sunday afternoon the crowd at the square
was in the thousands and was mostly comprised of men under 30 years of
age.
In the late afternoon, gunshots rang out in the crowd, he said. "No
one could tell where the bullets were coming from. Bullets were flying
in the air and bodies were falling," Walid said.
He said his friend saw two men standing next to him shot in the chest
and killed.
Overnight, militia members without uniforms drove through the streets
of the capital with heavy machine guns mounted on the backs of Land
Cruiser sport-utility vehicles, residents said. Walid's neighbor, who
heard the militiamen speak, said they spoke with accents like those of
people from eastern Libya near the Egyptian border.
Walid said that the mood in Tripoli is turning against the government
due to the bloodshed over the weekend. "We listened to Seif al-Islam
but he was speaking only lies. We are at a point of no return. Now,
they are killing Libyans. We don't trust him and his family. We've
known them for 40 years. He [Col. Ghadhafi] would rather kill us than
talk with us."
Protests also sprang up Sunday on the outskirts of Tripoli for the
first time since the unrest began five days ago, according to
residents. Though the protests were quickly quashed by security forces
deployed in force throughout the capital, the spread of unrest to Mr.
Gadhafi's center of power was a sign that demonstrations were gaining
momentum and no longer confined to the country's eastern half.
Late Sunday, the country's Warfala tribe, one of the largest among
Libya's population of 6.4 million, announced it was throwing its heft
behind the protesters, suggesting momentum was tipping further against
Mr. Gadhafi.
View Full Image
libyaNEW
Associated Press
A video image broadcast on Libyan state television shows numerous
supporters cheering Col. Gadhafi at an event in Tripoli Saturday.
libyaNEW
libyaNEW
No Confirmation That Gadhafi Left Libya
Earlier in the day in eastern Libya, residents of several cities said
government security forces had withdrawn from the streets to their
bases, ceding all or parts of cities to protesters, at least for now.
Uprising in the Middle East
View Interactive
See photos from protests from Algeria to Yemen.
Mideast Mosaic
View Interactive
A look at the economic and political status of selected countries
facing unrest in North Africa and the Middle East.
Regional Upheaval
View Interactive
Track demonstrations day by day.
* More photos and interactive graphics
In Baida, east of Benghazi and close to Libya's border with Egypt,
witnesses said local police turned their guns on the army's second
brigade after it deployed inside the city and fired live ammunition at
protesters. The local police's flip forced the surprised army forces
to withdraw to the airport on the city's outskirts, according to
witnesses.
Libyan state TV broadcast images of burning buildings and blamed the
"acts of sabotage and burning" on "foreign agents," echoing the
attempts made by other Arab leaders in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and
Yemen to dismiss the domestic unrest.
Residents said it was the first time government media had acknowledged
the growing protests, suggesting the violence was spreading to the
point that the government had no choice but to address it directly.
The fiercest fighting appeared to be raging in Benghazi, Libya's
second-largest city, on the country's northeast coast. Benghazi
residents said some neighborhoods of the city had been consumed by
full-fledged urban warfare between protesters and progovernment
forces. Residents said pro-Gadhafi loyalists driving around in cars
fired rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns at anyone in the
streets.
For the first time since protests started on Feb. 15, there were
numerous reports that protesters had seized weapons caches from
abandoned government bases and had gone on the offensive against
government barracks.
"The soldiers have fled and the citizens have taken their weapons,"
one resident of Benghazi said in a telephone interview. "Citizens now
have rocket-propelled grenades, Kalashnikovs and hand grenades. I can
hear the bullets now and RPGs and people beeping their car horn in
celebrations."
Fears of More Violence
Many residents and activists inside and outside Libya said they feared
the coming days could see a sharp escalation in violence.
"There are really no constraints at all on what Gadhafi can do and
we've reached the point where a lot of peaceful protesters are
starting to arm themselves to do battle," said Heba Morayef, a
researcher for Human Rights Watch following events in Libya.
A U.S. official said Sunday that the State Department checked and
couldn't confirm reports that Col. Gadhafi had left Libya. The
official said the U.S. has been in regular contact with Libyan
officials over the past two days, urging an end of the use of force.
But the official said Washington hasn't been in direct contact with
the Gadhafi family.
"We are continually assessing the situation on the ground and urging
restraint," said the senior U.S. official. The highest level contact
was Friday, the official said, when the State Department's Assistant
Secretary of State for Near East affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, called
Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa.
The U.S.'s ambassador to Libya, Gene Cretz, has been out of Tripoli
for more than a month in the wake of the leaking of diplomatic cables
by the Website WikiLeaks. In one of the cables, Mr. Cretz wrote to the
State Department about what he described as Col. Gadhafi's erratic
behavior, drawing a rebuke from the Libyan government. U.S. officials
said Mr. Cretz was recalled, in part, due to concerns about his
security in Tripoli.
Dirk Vandewalle, an expert on Libya's politics and history at
Dartmouth College, said that the government's security forces "are
known to be very vicious."
"No mater how high the human cost, they know they have to put these
demonstrations down, because if they fail, they're the ones that will
pay the highest price," he said. "They have absolutely nothing to
lose."
The country's eastern half, of which Benghazi is the hub, has a long
history of resistance to outsiders and of friction with Mr. Gadhafi's
government in Tripoli.
Since taking power in a coup in 1969, Mr. Gadhafi has sidelined the
region's tribes in favor of his own Qatatfa tribe in the competition
for government posts. Though much of the country's oil wealth is in
the east, the territory sees a disproportionately low share of state
investment and resources.
The current unrest traces its roots back to an uprising by student
Islamists in the 1990s that Mr. Gadhafi viciously suppressed. Mr.
Gadhafi deployed the army's feared second brigade, commanded by one of
his sons, Khamis, against the students. Those who weren't killed in
the ensuing mayhem were thrown in jail, many of them in Tripoli's Abu
Salim Prison.
About a year later, in 1996, prisoners at Abu Salim, many of whom were
from Benghazi, launched an uprising. The regime took no mercy on the
prison rebels. The ensuing bombardment left 1,200 prisoners dead,
according to Human Rights Watch.
Ever since, the "Abu Salim massacre," as it is known to many Libyans,
has been a rallying cry for activists and opposition in Libya, and a
thorn in the regime's side.
The protests now shaking the country first flared outside Benghazi's
courthouse on Feb. 15 after security forces arrested two outspoken
members of the families of victims of the Abu Salim incident in 1996,
as well as a human-rights lawyer, pushing their demands for
compensation from the government, according to human-rights activists.
The early days of protest saw scattered violence. On Saturday, the
violence escalated dramatically, according to residents of Benghazi
and human-rights activists. Residents finished burying one of the
early victims of the protests in Benghazi. As they marched from the
graveyard and neared an army base in downtown Benghazi, soldiers
opened fire with machine guns, according to numerous accounts from
residents.
"It's like a guerrilla war," a female resident of Benghazi said Sunday
morning. "There is a battle going on, and sometimes one part is
controlled by the protesters, and sometimes other parts are. There are
corpses in the street."
On Sunday, several residents said the base appeared to be the last
bastion where government forces were concentrated in Benghazi.
"Neither side has complete control of Benghazi," said a student in
Benghazi who would identify himself only as Abdullah. He said the
government had cut electricity in parts of the city. He said he had
seen 13 dead bodies in just one part of the city.
The Internet remains down in most of the country after the government
shut down servers early Saturday morning, according to Renesys, an
Internet access watchdog. Journalists were banned from entering the
country or reporting on events, making it impossible to confirm many
of the reports from residents.
Residents reached by phone were gripped by fear, unwilling to give
their names over the telephone for fear that the government was
monitoring phone calls. A Libyan journalist in Tripoli said some of
his colleagues who had spoken with Arab TV stations had been arrested
within minutes of speaking on air.
Oil is at the heart of the Libyan economy. The oil sector contributes
about 95% of export earnings and 60% of public-sector wages, according
to economists. According to the 2008 BP Statistical Energy Survey,
Libya had proven oil reserves of 41.464 billion barrels at the end of
2007, or 3.34% of the world's reserves.
—Margaret Coker, Adam Entous and Jay Solomon contributed to this
article.
Write to Charles Levinson at charles.levinson@wsj.com
Monday, 21 February 2011
Election Commission will implement less democratic rules
According to this video, the Malaysian EC will implement rules that
will be less democratic and subject to more abuses of power.
What worries me is that, it will create more unrest and disturbances
in Malaysia if this were to be implemented and EC had been shown to be
able to implement them at will even without the 2/3 majority.
1) Doctors and Nurses will vote by POST. Incredible.
For all these years, doctors and nurses always vote at the polling
stations but why should they vote by post now?
2) People can vote by proxy also. So it means that one person can vote
on behalf of ten thousand people. Very scary indeed. Where is the
secrecy in voting?
It shows the direction that the BN government will go. It certainly is
not democratic. Will there be peace and prosperity when there is no
democracy?
People in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya are dying to request for democracy
and here Malaysians will just give away their democracy just like
that.
The reason why people are willing to die for democracy is that they
know that there will not be any peace and prosperity without
democracy. You may have so called stability but at the price of police
brutality and corruption.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-J3n2vZtYg&feature=autoplay&list=PL0F55879B6B911A49&index=6&playnext=2
will be less democratic and subject to more abuses of power.
What worries me is that, it will create more unrest and disturbances
in Malaysia if this were to be implemented and EC had been shown to be
able to implement them at will even without the 2/3 majority.
1) Doctors and Nurses will vote by POST. Incredible.
For all these years, doctors and nurses always vote at the polling
stations but why should they vote by post now?
2) People can vote by proxy also. So it means that one person can vote
on behalf of ten thousand people. Very scary indeed. Where is the
secrecy in voting?
It shows the direction that the BN government will go. It certainly is
not democratic. Will there be peace and prosperity when there is no
democracy?
People in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya are dying to request for democracy
and here Malaysians will just give away their democracy just like
that.
The reason why people are willing to die for democracy is that they
know that there will not be any peace and prosperity without
democracy. You may have so called stability but at the price of police
brutality and corruption.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-J3n2vZtYg&feature=autoplay&list=PL0F55879B6B911A49&index=6&playnext=2
Imam Mahadi will give lots of money but rule only for 8 years
Sultan of Brunei has rules for more than 8 years so he is not the Imam
Mahadi as this poster claimed.
SAbah is rich is rich and has lots of cattle ranches compared to
Brunei. Imam Mahadi will give lots of money but it does not mean that
he is rich like the Sultan of Brunei. Sabah is certainly richer than
Brunei with more land so its government can give lots of money to the
people.
http://www.topix.com/forum/world/brunei/T4QB7MFN31HB4G3TG
Telah bersabda Rasulullah s.a.w,"Pada akhir zaman akan muncul seorang
khalifah yang berasal dari umatku, yang akan melimpahkan harta
kekayaan selimpah-limpahnya. Dan ia sama sekali tidak akan menghitung-
hitungnya."(HR. Muslim dan Ahmad)
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace &
Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: "At the end of the time of my
ummah, the Mahdi will appear. Allaah will grant him rain, the earth
will bring forth its fruits, he will give a lot of money, cattle will
increase and the ummah will become great. He will rule for seven or
eight years.(Mustadrak al-Haakim, 4/557-558; he said: this is a
hadeeth whose isnaad is saheeh, although it was not reported by al-
Bukhaari and Muslim. Al-Dhahabi agreed with him, and al-Albaani said:
this is a saheeh sanad, and its men are thiqaat (trustworthy),
Silsilat al-ahaadeeth al-saheehah, vol. 2, p. 336, hadeeth 771)
Mahadi as this poster claimed.
SAbah is rich is rich and has lots of cattle ranches compared to
Brunei. Imam Mahadi will give lots of money but it does not mean that
he is rich like the Sultan of Brunei. Sabah is certainly richer than
Brunei with more land so its government can give lots of money to the
people.
http://www.topix.com/forum/world/brunei/T4QB7MFN31HB4G3TG
Telah bersabda Rasulullah s.a.w,"Pada akhir zaman akan muncul seorang
khalifah yang berasal dari umatku, yang akan melimpahkan harta
kekayaan selimpah-limpahnya. Dan ia sama sekali tidak akan menghitung-
hitungnya."(HR. Muslim dan Ahmad)
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace &
Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: "At the end of the time of my
ummah, the Mahdi will appear. Allaah will grant him rain, the earth
will bring forth its fruits, he will give a lot of money, cattle will
increase and the ummah will become great. He will rule for seven or
eight years.(Mustadrak al-Haakim, 4/557-558; he said: this is a
hadeeth whose isnaad is saheeh, although it was not reported by al-
Bukhaari and Muslim. Al-Dhahabi agreed with him, and al-Albaani said:
this is a saheeh sanad, and its men are thiqaat (trustworthy),
Silsilat al-ahaadeeth al-saheehah, vol. 2, p. 336, hadeeth 771)
Imam Mahadi is a descendent of Hassan
The name of the Mahadi as translated by this commentator need not be
Muhammad bin Abdullah, the usual full name of Prophet Muhammad. What
is said in the hadith is that the name is LIKE Prophet Muhammad. The
true name of Prophet Muhammad is not Muhammad but Ahmad.
Descendents of Hassan bin Ali bin Ahmad, call themselves Sharif.
Descendents of Hussin call themselves Syed. In Sabah, we only have
people who claim to be Sharif, which means that they are descendents
of Hassan.
Many people in Sabah have the names of Ahmad, and they could be
descendents of Hassan as well, just like my father. In my father's
family, he is the only one called Ahmad, and many people claim that he
is descended from a Sharif family. Many other people can be called
Ahmad and descendents of Prophet Muhammad as well, in Sabah. What
makes matters worse is that, I am also called Ahmad by Westerners who
call me by my father's name. I have 6 other siblings.
Is it possible that our ancestors are aware of this hadith and named
their children Ahmad or Muhammad in order to be honoured as Mahadi? We
are encouraged to name our children with the name of Muhammad in
front. That is why many Malaysians will have their names with Muhammad
in front.
http://www.topix.com/forum/world/brunei/T4QB7MFN31HB4G3TG
Kitab-kitab tersebut menerangkan bahawa nama Al-Mahdi ialah Muhammad
bin Abdullah sementara gelarannya pula ialah Abu Abdullah. Menurut
riwayat yang sah Al-Mahdi adalah dari keturunan Sayidina Hassan bin
Ali. Sesungguhnya telah tsabit bahawa Al-Mahdi adalah keturunan Hassan
bin Ali sebagaimana yang tersebut di dalam hadits sahih yang
diriwayatkan oleh Al-Imam Abu Daud dalam Sunannya,
"Telah berkata Ali sambil memandang puteranya Hassan," Sesungguhnya
Puteraku ini ialah sayid sebagaimana yang telah dinamakan oleh Nabi SA
W. Dari keturunannya akan lahir seorang lelaki yang namanya seperti
nama Nabi kamu, menyerupai baginda dalam perangai dan tidak menyerupai
baginda dalam rupa dan bentuk."
http://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=36&translator=3
4276
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: AbuIshaq told that Ali looked at his son
al-Hasan and said: This son of mine is a sayyid (chief) as named by
the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him), and from his loins will come forth a
man who will be called by the name of your Prophet (peace_be_upon_him)
and resemble him in conduct but not in appearance. He then mentioned
the story about his filling the earth with justice.
Muhammad bin Abdullah, the usual full name of Prophet Muhammad. What
is said in the hadith is that the name is LIKE Prophet Muhammad. The
true name of Prophet Muhammad is not Muhammad but Ahmad.
Descendents of Hassan bin Ali bin Ahmad, call themselves Sharif.
Descendents of Hussin call themselves Syed. In Sabah, we only have
people who claim to be Sharif, which means that they are descendents
of Hassan.
Many people in Sabah have the names of Ahmad, and they could be
descendents of Hassan as well, just like my father. In my father's
family, he is the only one called Ahmad, and many people claim that he
is descended from a Sharif family. Many other people can be called
Ahmad and descendents of Prophet Muhammad as well, in Sabah. What
makes matters worse is that, I am also called Ahmad by Westerners who
call me by my father's name. I have 6 other siblings.
Is it possible that our ancestors are aware of this hadith and named
their children Ahmad or Muhammad in order to be honoured as Mahadi? We
are encouraged to name our children with the name of Muhammad in
front. That is why many Malaysians will have their names with Muhammad
in front.
http://www.topix.com/forum/world/brunei/T4QB7MFN31HB4G3TG
Kitab-kitab tersebut menerangkan bahawa nama Al-Mahdi ialah Muhammad
bin Abdullah sementara gelarannya pula ialah Abu Abdullah. Menurut
riwayat yang sah Al-Mahdi adalah dari keturunan Sayidina Hassan bin
Ali. Sesungguhnya telah tsabit bahawa Al-Mahdi adalah keturunan Hassan
bin Ali sebagaimana yang tersebut di dalam hadits sahih yang
diriwayatkan oleh Al-Imam Abu Daud dalam Sunannya,
"Telah berkata Ali sambil memandang puteranya Hassan," Sesungguhnya
Puteraku ini ialah sayid sebagaimana yang telah dinamakan oleh Nabi SA
W. Dari keturunannya akan lahir seorang lelaki yang namanya seperti
nama Nabi kamu, menyerupai baginda dalam perangai dan tidak menyerupai
baginda dalam rupa dan bentuk."
http://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=36&translator=3
4276
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: AbuIshaq told that Ali looked at his son
al-Hasan and said: This son of mine is a sayyid (chief) as named by
the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him), and from his loins will come forth a
man who will be called by the name of your Prophet (peace_be_upon_him)
and resemble him in conduct but not in appearance. He then mentioned
the story about his filling the earth with justice.
Only Sultanate of Sulu in Sabah has never been beaten
There are many comments that the Sultanate of Sulu has never been
beaten in battles but indeed has lost the war through treaties. Among
the Sulu Sultanate regions only Sabah had never been beaten even by
the Americans who subjugated the Sulu Sultanate in the Philippines
because Sabah had been rented to the British. So the only team that
had never been beaten is in Sabah, not Brunei. Brunei had been
conquered and destroyed many times by the Spaniards and British. So
will the Mahadi be coming from Sabah???
beaten in battles but indeed has lost the war through treaties. Among
the Sulu Sultanate regions only Sabah had never been beaten even by
the Americans who subjugated the Sulu Sultanate in the Philippines
because Sabah had been rented to the British. So the only team that
had never been beaten is in Sabah, not Brunei. Brunei had been
conquered and destroyed many times by the Spaniards and British. So
will the Mahadi be coming from Sabah???
"Translation of Hadith from Ibnu Majah: Al-Mahdi will come after the
Black Flags from the East where this team usually has never been
beaten by any other team."
http://www.topix.com/forum/world/brunei/T4QB7MFN31HB4G3TG
Menurut riwayat hadith yang sah, Imam Mahdi dikatakan akan muncul dari
negara negara belahan sebelah timur, jadi ada kemungkinan bahawa
negara Islam timur di rantau Melayu seperti Malaysia, Indonesia dan
Brunei. Ini di diriwayatkan didalam hadith Rasullah SAW. iaitu:-
Sabda Nabi SAW:
Al-Mahdi akan datang setelah muncul Panji-panji Hitam dari sebelah
Timur yang mana pasukan itu selalu tidak pernah kalah dengan pasukan
mana pun.(Ibnu Majah)
Sabda Nabi SAW:
Orang ramai daripada Timur akan muncul, kemudian menyerahkan
kekuasaannya kepada al-Mahdi.
Imam Mahadi works Silently
Iman Mahadi will not publicise himself until the last battle between
Anit-Christ and Christ himself. This had been foretold by Muslim holy
scriptures.
Anit-Christ and Christ himself. This had been foretold by Muslim holy
scriptures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahdi
Shia sources:
...
Sadir al-Sayrafi says: I heard from Imam Abu Abdullah Jafar al-Sadiq
that: ... He whose rights have been taken away and who is denied
(hazrat mahdi (as)) will walk among them, move through their markets
and walk where they walk. but they will not recognize hazraz mahdi
(as) until Allah gives them leave to recognize him, just as He did
with the Prophet Yusuf (as).[15]
http://www.irshad.org/islam/prophecy/mahdi.htm
Authenticated hadith:
The Prophet(SAW) said:
Allah will bring out from concealment al-Mahdi from my family and just
before the day of Judgment; even if only one day were to remain in the
life of the world, and he will spread on this earth justice and equity
and will eradicate tyranny and oppression.
(Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Vol. 1, P. 99)
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asiapac/stories/201102/s3144898.htm
Libya protests spread with increasing violence
* Print
* Email
Updated February 21, 2011 22:38:17
Violent clashes between demonstrators and police are continuing in
Libya where the death toll is thought to have climbed to more than
230. Protesters claim to have taken control of the country's second
largest city, Benghazi, while clashes between security forces and
demonstrators are rising in the capital, Tripoli. There are
unconfirmed reports that the leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has fled as
further cracks appear in his four decade old regime. Libya's
ambassador to India has resigned in protest over the government's
treatment of protesters. And there has been a call within Libya to cut
all oil exports until the violence ends.
Reporter: Karon Snowdon
Speakers: Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libyan president; Professor
Amin Saikal, director, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian
National University; Catherine Ashton, representative for foreign and
security policy, European Union
* Listen:
* Windows Media
SNOWDON: Protests continue in Yemen, Bahrain, Iran and Algeria but
it's Libya that is causing concern around the world.
The death toll in Libya is put at more than 230 by Human Rights Watch
but with no foreign journalists in the country and severe media
restrictions it's impossible to confirm the precise situation.
It does appear protesters took control of Benghazi over the weekend
after some army units defected to their cause.
Reports out of the capital Tripoli say there are now deadly clashes
between protesters and what are thought to be heavily armed African
mercenaries.
There's been no sign of Muammar Gaddafi except possibly earlier
recorded TV footage, but his son and expected heir, Seif al-Islam
Gaddafi, remains defiant.
He said during a national broadcast late Sunday night, Libya could
descend into civil war.
GADDAFI: We're in very high spirits and Muammar Gaddafi the leader is
leading the battle and the army is with him, the armed forces are with
him. And there are tens of thousands of people who back him. We will
not let Libya go, we will fight to the last man, to the last bullet,
and we will never leave it.
SNOWDON: The belligerent stance means there will be more violence,
says Professor Amin Saikal, from the Australian National University.
SAIKAL: Gaddafi's regime has been an especially repressive regime,
which was firmly controlled by him and basically run by his very
efficient and brutal secret police.
SNOWDON [TO SAIKAL]: So you're expecting more violence before this is
over?
SAIKAL: I think there will be more violence and we also hear there are
disturbances in Tripoli itself. And his son has come out and said we
are on the verge of civil war but he was very combatant. He promised a
new constitution and new liberal law but at the same time he said we
are going to fight to the last man.
SNOWDON: Yet support could be dwindling.
Two senior figures, the Libyan ambassadors to India and the Arab
League, have resigned.
Plus, powerful opponents appear to be reading the situation and
telling the Gaddafis to go.
Speaking to the Al Jazeera network, the leader of the Al-Zuwayya tribe
in eastern Libya is threatening to cut oil exports unless authorities
stop what he called the 'oppression of protesters'.
Most of Libya's oil is exported to Europe.
Leaders there, slow to criticise the regime, are now speaking out.
Catherine Ashton, is the EU representative for foreign and security
policy.
ASHTON: I am really worried about what is happening in Libya at
present time. We have been urging restraint, we continue to do so. It
is very, very important that this violence stops and they reach a
dialogue.
SNOWDON: The US and the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon,
have also called for an end to the use of force.
Amin Saikal says there is no turning back for Libya.
SAIKAL: Well there's no question this is a popular uprising against
Gaddafi's 40 year rule. And he has managed to deceive the Libyan
public and the international community for that long but now I think
it's come to the point that the people have just had it. And they were
looking for a spark and that spark came with Tunisian and Egyptian
revolutions and the Libyan people felt that if the Egyptians and the
Tunisians can do it, we should be able do it.
SNOWDON: It's been a feature of these conflicts and these uprising
that they haven't been driven by the clerics.
SAIKAL: It hasn't been driven by the clerics and we really don't know
if it's been led by a single individual or an organisation or this is
just a spontaneous popular uprising. The way I see it its just a
spontaneous popular uprising against the Gaddafi regime.
Sabah — land of the beautiful
Not surprising that the most beautiful of Sabahans are very beautiful
because they are mostly of mixed ethnicities from Chinese, Caucasian,
Arabic to Pakistanis.
It is surprising indeed when my first 2 nephews who will get married
son, will marry non-Sabahans who are not as beautiful as many Sabahans
around. Maybe we are so used to see beautiful faces that we look for
something different.
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/48cba686fe041718/id/43137346/ht/Sabah-&mdash-land-of-the-beautiful/
Sabah — land of the beautiful
Malaysia Sun
Monday 21st February, 2011
(Source: The Star)
KOTA KINABALU: Popularly known as the Land Below the Wind, Sabah
should probably be now known as the land of hidden beauties.
Sabahans swept the Ford Models Supermodel of the World Search Malaysia
2011 by producing eight out of the 24 semi-finalists, the largest
number so far from a single state.
Organising chairman Datuk Nancy Yeoh said she was thrilled with the
audition which was held on Saturday at the Magellan Sutera Resort.
We came here hoping to find four or five semi-finalists and it is
extremely fulfilling to be able to leave Kota Kinabalu with an
unexpected eight which makes up one-third of the semi-finalists, she
said.
On top of that, they comprise a cross-section of ethnic groups,
something we have been advocating from the start that we are looking
for a true, all-Malaysian gir... ...
because they are mostly of mixed ethnicities from Chinese, Caucasian,
Arabic to Pakistanis.
It is surprising indeed when my first 2 nephews who will get married
son, will marry non-Sabahans who are not as beautiful as many Sabahans
around. Maybe we are so used to see beautiful faces that we look for
something different.
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/48cba686fe041718/id/43137346/ht/Sabah-&mdash-land-of-the-beautiful/
Sabah — land of the beautiful
Malaysia Sun
Monday 21st February, 2011
(Source: The Star)
KOTA KINABALU: Popularly known as the Land Below the Wind, Sabah
should probably be now known as the land of hidden beauties.
Sabahans swept the Ford Models Supermodel of the World Search Malaysia
2011 by producing eight out of the 24 semi-finalists, the largest
number so far from a single state.
Organising chairman Datuk Nancy Yeoh said she was thrilled with the
audition which was held on Saturday at the Magellan Sutera Resort.
We came here hoping to find four or five semi-finalists and it is
extremely fulfilling to be able to leave Kota Kinabalu with an
unexpected eight which makes up one-third of the semi-finalists, she
said.
On top of that, they comprise a cross-section of ethnic groups,
something we have been advocating from the start that we are looking
for a true, all-Malaysian gir... ...
Saturday, 19 February 2011
An Excellent Economical Analysis of Malaysia by Anwar: unlike the idiotic Economists
" The reality is our manufacturing products are steadily losing its
competitiveness in the global market as we are relegated to the lower
rung of the value chain while competitors like Singapore upgrade
higher and higher on the value chain. This was pointed out a decade
ago, yet nothing effective has been put in place to stem this decline
apart from continuous rhetoric paid for by taxpayers' money."
These are the key words which I had missed in my arguments for higher
income and currency values. This is a convincing reason why the
Malaysian emphasis on CHEAP LABOUR, is back firing on Malaysia. This
is the fault of Malaysian businessmen but these businessmen are all
CRONY BUSINESSMEN, just like in Egypt.
Why Malaysia failed in selling cheap products while Singapore can
succeed by selling expensive but quality products? Simple. The reason
is that there are many more competitors in the cheap product category
than in the higher quality category.
Malaysian businessmen keep on insisting on cheap labour. Excuses like
conditional salary increase ONLY ON HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, are just
excuses. As I had mentioned many times, clerks and nurses, in Malaysia
and Singapore have similar productivity and yet paid much higher in
Singapore.
I also just don't understand the Malaysian mentality. The contractors
use low quality screws while higher quality screws such as stainless
steel screws, although costing 5 times more, only cost a fraction of
the total project cost. And yet the quality increase in tremendous
because most problems with quality is in the screws that rust when
exposed to water or its vapour. Unfortunately stainless steel screws
are so rare among our hardware suppliers that it is extremely hard to
find them. Only one shop in Kota Kinabalu probably sells these M4
stainless steel screws.
For example, Kota Kinabalu sells a toilet bowl set. Supposed to be for
the whole set for RM320. This is very expensive but actually it does
not come with complete fitting screws. From Youtube, I notice that the
US toilet bowls come complete with special plastic screws. At Kota
Kinabalu, we can't even find plastic screws which should be very
cheap.
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=141963242535339&id=1653306770#!/notes/anwar-ibrahim/pertumbuhan-ekonomi-2010-malaysia-terus-terkebelakang-berbanding-jiran/10150180695746102
Pertumbuhan Ekonomi 2010: Malaysia Terus Terkebelakang Berbanding
Jiran
by Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 1:14pm
Pertumbuhan ekonomi sebanyak 7.2% yang dicatatkan negara pada tahun
2010 perlu dikaji dengan lebih dekat untuk memahami keseluruhan
implikasinya.
Angka 7.2% perlu dibandingkan dengan pencapaian jiran-jiran kita dan
bukannya dinilai secara bersendirian. Singapura dan Indonesia
contohnya masing-masing berjaya mencatatkan pertumbuhan 14.5% dan 6.1%
dalam tahun 2010. Kedua-dua jiran kita ini mengatasi pertumbuhan
Malaysia; apatah lagi apabila pertumbuhan Indonesia adalah berdasarkan
angka pertumbuhan asas yang lebih tinggi kerana Indonesia tidak
mengalami penguncupan ekonomi dalam tahun 2009 seperti mana Malaysia
dan Singapura.
Pertumbuhan 14.5% yang dicatatkan Singapura disokong oleh pertumbuhan
kukuh dalam sektor perkilangan pada kadar 29.7% pertumbuhan tahunan.
Jika dibandingkan dengan Singapura, pencapaian kita malap dalam kedua-
dua aspek – pertumbuhan ekonomi hanyalah separuh dari yang dicapai
Singapura, sementara pertumbuhan sektor perkilangan pada kadar 11.4%
hanyalah setakat satu pertiga pencapaian Singapura.
Penjelasan kedua-dua kerajaan dalam menerangkan perbezaan pertumbuhan
sektor perkilangan ini adalah amat berbeza. Singapura menyatakan
bahawa permintaan yang kukuh dari pasaran dunia memesatkan pertumbuhan
sektor perkilangannya, sementara Malaysia pula menyalahkan pasaran
dunia sebagai akibat kelembapan sektor perkilangannya – padahal kedua-
dua negara sama-sama bergantung kepada barangan eksport dan pasaran
dunia. Hakikatnya, barangan yang dikilang di Malaysia semakin hilang
daya saingnya di pasaran dunia kerana kita tersekat di tangga nilai
yang bawah dan terpaksa bersaing dengan negara-negara yang struktur
kosnya lebih murah; sedangkan pesaing seperti Singapura terus
menghasilkan barangan bernilai tinggi. Amaran mengenai masalah ini
telah diberikan sejak sedekad yang lalu, namun tidak ada satu langkah
yang berkesan yang diambil kerajaan selain dari retorik politik yang
dibayar oleh rakyat.
Pertumbuhan sektor perkilangan yang lebih rendah berbanding jiran
diburukkan lagi dengan penguncupan dua sektor penyumbang utama di
dalam suku keempat 2010. Sektor perlombongan dan pertanian adalah
penyumbang utama kepada pendapatan Kerajaan Persekutuan melalui hasil
minyak dan gas serta kelapa sawit. Kedua-dua sektor ini mencatatkan
penguncupan dalam suku keempat pada kadar 1.3% (perlombongan) dan 4.3%
(pertanian). Akibatnya, pertumbuhan tahunan yang sangat rendah pada
kadar 0.2% (perlombongan) dan 1.7% (pertanian) adalah satu lagi
petanda bahawa ekonomi kita semakin malap.
Pandangan ini diperkuatkan lagi oleh angka-angka beberapa indeks yang
digunakan untuk menilai sentimen masyarakat niagawan dan orang ramai
mengenai hala tuju ekonomi negara. Indeks Suasana Perniagaan yang
diterbitkan oleh Institut Kajian Ekonomi Malaysia (MIER) hilang 5.4
mata dalam suku keempat 2010 untuk jatuh ke paras bawah 100 mata buat
kali pertama dalam tempoh dua tahun. Malah, keyakinan masyarakat
niagawan ke atas prospek ekonomi seperti yang dilambangkan oleh indeks
ini menunjukkan penurunan sejak awal 2010 lagi. Bagi sentimen
keyakinan orang ramai pula, walaupun Indeks Sentimen Pengguna menokok
ke paras 117.2 mata dalam suku keempat, paras itu masih belum
setanding dengan paras keyakinan tahun 2007 sebelum kerajaan menaikkan
harga minyak secara mendadak dalam tahun 2008.
YAB Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak sepatutnya lebih ikhlas dan mengakui
bahawa ada jurang yang besar di antara pengumuman projek-projek mega
yang dibuat dibawah ETP dan realiti ekonomi yang ditanggung masyarakat
niagawan dan orang ramai. Ramai di kalangan rakyat Malaysia yang masih
ragu-ragu bahawa siri pengumuman projek itu hanyalah wayang yang
akhirnya akan menguntungkan golongan pemerintah dan niagawan elit
tanpa menyelesaikan masalah pokok dan struktur ekonomi negara.
Pengurusan fiskal dan kewangan negara juga menunjukkan perbezaan yang
besar di antara Malaysia dan jiran kita, terutamanya Indonesia.
Tidak seperti Malaysia, Indonesia berjaya mengelak dari kemelesetan
ekonomi tahun 2009 dan terus mencatatkan pertumbuhan kukuh sebanyak
6.1% dalam tahun 2010, menjadikannya salah sebuah ekonomi paling
mampan di antara 20 negara terkaya di dunia. Laporan United Nations
Global Investment Trend Monitor (diterbitkan oleh UNCTAD pada 17
Januari 2011) mencatatkan aliran masuk pelaburan asing (FDI) sebanyak
USD12.8 bilion bagi tahun 2010; yang kedua tertinggi di rantau ini
selepas Singapura. Pelaburan baru menyumbang sebanyak 32.2% kepada
ekonomi Indonesia sementara perbelanjaan kerajaan menyumbang hanyalah
9.1% kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi. Keseluruhan pencapaian ini berasaskan
perbelanjaan kerajaan yang berhemah dan tidak berlebihan. Angka
defisit fiskal dan hutang kerajaan hanyalah masing-masing 1.1% dan
28.3% berbanding KDNK bagi tahun 2010.
Keadaannya sangat berbeza di Malaysia. Jumlah hutang Kerajaan
Persekutuan telah mencecah RM407 bilion menjelang akhir 2010,
bersamaan 53.1% berbanding saiz KDNK negara. Kegagalan merancakkan
pelaburan swasta menyebabkan kerajaan terlalu bergantung kepada projek-
projek mega dan perbelanjaan kerajaan untuk mencapai sasaran
pertumbuhan ekonomi, sehinggakan defisit fiskal menjadi salah satu
masalah utama ekonomi negara.
Defisit fiskal negara memuncak pada aras 7% dalam tahun 2009 dan hanya
menurun kepada 5.6% tahun lalu, sedangkan sasaran kerajaan yang
diumumkan di dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 adalah 5.3% bagi tahun
2010. Malaysia hanya berjaya menarik aliran masuk pelaburan asing
(FDI) sebanyak USD7 bilion dalam tahun 2010, jauh ditinggalkan
Singapura yang mendapat sejumlah USD37.4 bilion aliran masuk pelaburan
asing.
Berdasarkan angka-angka dan perbandingan ini, jelas bahawa pertumbuhan
7.2% hanyalah satu lagi bukti bahawa ekonomi kita semakin
terkebelakang berbanding dengan negara jiran. Daya saing Malaysia di
pasaran antarabangsa semakin merudum dan kedudukan fiskal serta
kewangan negara lebih buruk berbanding negara-negara jiran.
Rakyat tidak akan terkeliru dengan pelbagai kempen dan janji manis
yang dibuat kerajaan dan akan terus menuntut reformasi ekonomi agar
prospek ekonomi yang malap ini dapat diubah. Reformasi ekonomi hanya
akan berkesan sekiranya didokong oleh reformasi politik yang ikhlas.
Malangnya, Kerajaan Persekutuan yang ada telah dibuktikan berkali-kali
tiada keikhlasan dalam melaksanakan reformasi politik. Makanya,
sebarang dasar ekonomi yang diperkenalkan sebagai reaksi politik tidak
akan berjaya menyelesaikan masalah kemalapan ekonomi Malaysia.
DATO' SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
KETUA PEMBANGKANG
19 FEBRUARI 2011
===
MALAYSIAN ECONOMY IN 2010:
CONTINUING A TREND OF UNDER PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO NEIGHBOURS
The growth rate of 7.2% registered by the Malaysian economy in 2010
requires a closer scrutiny to understand its full ramifications.
The 7.2% growth should not be viewed in vacuum and must be compared
with what our neighbours had achieved in 2010. Singapore and Indonesia
registered a growth of 14.5% and 6.1% respectively in 2010. Both
outperform Malaysia's growth by miles especially considering that
Indonesia's 6.1% growth was calculated on a higher base as Indonesia
did not face economic contraction in 2009 unlike Malaysia or
Singapore.
In the case of Singapore, the 14.5% growth was achieved on the back of
a strong rebound in manufacturing sector which recorded an annual
growth of 29.7%. Our performance pales in comparison on both accounts
– the growth is half of what Singapore achieved while the growth in
manufacturing sector was only 11.4% for 2010, nearly a third of
Singapore's manufacturing growth.
There was a big contrast in the way each government explains this in
spite of the fact that both countries are export oriented and highly
dependent on the global economy – while Singapore cites a strong
external demand for its manufacturing products, Malaysia claims the
opposite. The reality is our manufacturing products are steadily
losing its competitiveness in the global market as we are relegated to
the lower rung of the value chain while competitors like Singapore
upgrade higher and higher on the value chain. This was pointed out a
decade ago, yet nothing effective has been put in place to stem this
decline apart from continuous rhetoric paid for by taxpayers' money.
The relatively lower manufacturing growth is compounded by
contractions in the fourth quarter of 2010 in two fundamental sectors
of the economy. Both mining and agriculture form a significant revenue
earner for the Federal Government in the form of income from oil and
gas extraction and palm oil. Mining and agriculture sectors registered
contractions of 1.3% and 4.3% respectively in the fourth quarter. The
annual growth of only 0.2% and 1.7% in mining and agricultural sectors
respectively is another symptom of stagnation plaguing the economy.
This is correlated by key indices used to gauge the sentiment of
business community and the public on the direction of the economy. The
Business Condition Index published by the Malaysian Institute of
Economic Research (MIER) loses 5.4 points quarter-to-quarter in the
last quarter of 2010, to settle below 100 points for the first time in
nearly two years. In fact, the business community's confidence on the
overall outlook of the economy had been on the decline since the
beginning of 2010. As for the public sentiment, while the Consumer
Sentiments Index did improve to 117.2 points in the fourth quarter, it
has not recovered to the level of 2007 prior to the fuel price hike of
2008.
YAB Dato' Seri Najib should have been more forthcoming with the public
to admit that there is a big disconnect between his economic
grandstanding via ETPs and the reality felt by the business community
and the public. There is a high degree of scepticism that the series
of announcements made are only a smokescreen that will benefit the
same type of ruling and business elites while the fundamental problems
of the economic are left unhealed.
The fiscal management of the economy also reveals a stark difference
between Malaysia and our neighbours, especially Indonesia.
Unlike Malaysia, Indonesia has managed to avoid recession in 2009 and
continued to register a strong growth of 6.1% in 2010 in spite of the
higher growth base, making it one of the best performing economies
among the world's top 20 rich and developing countries. United Nations
Global Investment Trend Monitor (published by UNCTAD on 17 January
2011) recorded Indonesia's foreign direct investment inflows at
USD12.8 billion in 2010; only second to Singapore in this region in
terms of attracting FDIs. New investments contribute 32.2% to the
country's economy while government expenditure only contributes 9.1%
to the economic growth. This sterling performance was achieved on the
back of moderate government spending – Indonesia's fiscal deficit and
public sector debt was only 1.1% and 28.3% of its GDP respectively in
2010.
Malaysia's economic story is the opposite of Indonesia's. The total
Federal Government debt has ballooned to RM407 billion as at the end
of 2010, representing 53.1% of the GDP. The stagnation in private
investments had caused the government to rely on pump priming to fuel
the economic growth, so much so that fiscal deficit remains one of the
biggest economic problems the country is facing. Fiscal deficit peaked
at 7% in 2009 and only moderated to 5.6% in 2010, above the
government's own target of 5.3% as set out in 10th Malaysian Plan.
Malaysia only managed to attract USD7 billion worth of FDIs in 2010
compared to USD37.4 billion achieved by Singapore.
Against this backdrop, the 7.2% growth is yet another proof that our
economy is sliding downwards relative to our neighbours. We are losing
our competitiveness and our fiscal position is in a lot worse shape
compared to the neighbours.
No amount of glossing and public relations campaigns can confuse the
public of the urgent need to institute vital economic reforms to
reverse the slide. Economic reforms can only be effective if
complimented by an equally strong set of political reforms.
Unfortunately, this government is incapable of embracing political
reforms as proven time and time again, so any reactionary new economic
policies will not be able to address the malaise of the Malaysian
economy.
DATO' SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
LEADER OF OPPOSITION
19 FEBRUARY 2011
competitiveness in the global market as we are relegated to the lower
rung of the value chain while competitors like Singapore upgrade
higher and higher on the value chain. This was pointed out a decade
ago, yet nothing effective has been put in place to stem this decline
apart from continuous rhetoric paid for by taxpayers' money."
These are the key words which I had missed in my arguments for higher
income and currency values. This is a convincing reason why the
Malaysian emphasis on CHEAP LABOUR, is back firing on Malaysia. This
is the fault of Malaysian businessmen but these businessmen are all
CRONY BUSINESSMEN, just like in Egypt.
Why Malaysia failed in selling cheap products while Singapore can
succeed by selling expensive but quality products? Simple. The reason
is that there are many more competitors in the cheap product category
than in the higher quality category.
Malaysian businessmen keep on insisting on cheap labour. Excuses like
conditional salary increase ONLY ON HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, are just
excuses. As I had mentioned many times, clerks and nurses, in Malaysia
and Singapore have similar productivity and yet paid much higher in
Singapore.
I also just don't understand the Malaysian mentality. The contractors
use low quality screws while higher quality screws such as stainless
steel screws, although costing 5 times more, only cost a fraction of
the total project cost. And yet the quality increase in tremendous
because most problems with quality is in the screws that rust when
exposed to water or its vapour. Unfortunately stainless steel screws
are so rare among our hardware suppliers that it is extremely hard to
find them. Only one shop in Kota Kinabalu probably sells these M4
stainless steel screws.
For example, Kota Kinabalu sells a toilet bowl set. Supposed to be for
the whole set for RM320. This is very expensive but actually it does
not come with complete fitting screws. From Youtube, I notice that the
US toilet bowls come complete with special plastic screws. At Kota
Kinabalu, we can't even find plastic screws which should be very
cheap.
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=141963242535339&id=1653306770#!/notes/anwar-ibrahim/pertumbuhan-ekonomi-2010-malaysia-terus-terkebelakang-berbanding-jiran/10150180695746102
Pertumbuhan Ekonomi 2010: Malaysia Terus Terkebelakang Berbanding
Jiran
by Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 1:14pm
Pertumbuhan ekonomi sebanyak 7.2% yang dicatatkan negara pada tahun
2010 perlu dikaji dengan lebih dekat untuk memahami keseluruhan
implikasinya.
Angka 7.2% perlu dibandingkan dengan pencapaian jiran-jiran kita dan
bukannya dinilai secara bersendirian. Singapura dan Indonesia
contohnya masing-masing berjaya mencatatkan pertumbuhan 14.5% dan 6.1%
dalam tahun 2010. Kedua-dua jiran kita ini mengatasi pertumbuhan
Malaysia; apatah lagi apabila pertumbuhan Indonesia adalah berdasarkan
angka pertumbuhan asas yang lebih tinggi kerana Indonesia tidak
mengalami penguncupan ekonomi dalam tahun 2009 seperti mana Malaysia
dan Singapura.
Pertumbuhan 14.5% yang dicatatkan Singapura disokong oleh pertumbuhan
kukuh dalam sektor perkilangan pada kadar 29.7% pertumbuhan tahunan.
Jika dibandingkan dengan Singapura, pencapaian kita malap dalam kedua-
dua aspek – pertumbuhan ekonomi hanyalah separuh dari yang dicapai
Singapura, sementara pertumbuhan sektor perkilangan pada kadar 11.4%
hanyalah setakat satu pertiga pencapaian Singapura.
Penjelasan kedua-dua kerajaan dalam menerangkan perbezaan pertumbuhan
sektor perkilangan ini adalah amat berbeza. Singapura menyatakan
bahawa permintaan yang kukuh dari pasaran dunia memesatkan pertumbuhan
sektor perkilangannya, sementara Malaysia pula menyalahkan pasaran
dunia sebagai akibat kelembapan sektor perkilangannya – padahal kedua-
dua negara sama-sama bergantung kepada barangan eksport dan pasaran
dunia. Hakikatnya, barangan yang dikilang di Malaysia semakin hilang
daya saingnya di pasaran dunia kerana kita tersekat di tangga nilai
yang bawah dan terpaksa bersaing dengan negara-negara yang struktur
kosnya lebih murah; sedangkan pesaing seperti Singapura terus
menghasilkan barangan bernilai tinggi. Amaran mengenai masalah ini
telah diberikan sejak sedekad yang lalu, namun tidak ada satu langkah
yang berkesan yang diambil kerajaan selain dari retorik politik yang
dibayar oleh rakyat.
Pertumbuhan sektor perkilangan yang lebih rendah berbanding jiran
diburukkan lagi dengan penguncupan dua sektor penyumbang utama di
dalam suku keempat 2010. Sektor perlombongan dan pertanian adalah
penyumbang utama kepada pendapatan Kerajaan Persekutuan melalui hasil
minyak dan gas serta kelapa sawit. Kedua-dua sektor ini mencatatkan
penguncupan dalam suku keempat pada kadar 1.3% (perlombongan) dan 4.3%
(pertanian). Akibatnya, pertumbuhan tahunan yang sangat rendah pada
kadar 0.2% (perlombongan) dan 1.7% (pertanian) adalah satu lagi
petanda bahawa ekonomi kita semakin malap.
Pandangan ini diperkuatkan lagi oleh angka-angka beberapa indeks yang
digunakan untuk menilai sentimen masyarakat niagawan dan orang ramai
mengenai hala tuju ekonomi negara. Indeks Suasana Perniagaan yang
diterbitkan oleh Institut Kajian Ekonomi Malaysia (MIER) hilang 5.4
mata dalam suku keempat 2010 untuk jatuh ke paras bawah 100 mata buat
kali pertama dalam tempoh dua tahun. Malah, keyakinan masyarakat
niagawan ke atas prospek ekonomi seperti yang dilambangkan oleh indeks
ini menunjukkan penurunan sejak awal 2010 lagi. Bagi sentimen
keyakinan orang ramai pula, walaupun Indeks Sentimen Pengguna menokok
ke paras 117.2 mata dalam suku keempat, paras itu masih belum
setanding dengan paras keyakinan tahun 2007 sebelum kerajaan menaikkan
harga minyak secara mendadak dalam tahun 2008.
YAB Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak sepatutnya lebih ikhlas dan mengakui
bahawa ada jurang yang besar di antara pengumuman projek-projek mega
yang dibuat dibawah ETP dan realiti ekonomi yang ditanggung masyarakat
niagawan dan orang ramai. Ramai di kalangan rakyat Malaysia yang masih
ragu-ragu bahawa siri pengumuman projek itu hanyalah wayang yang
akhirnya akan menguntungkan golongan pemerintah dan niagawan elit
tanpa menyelesaikan masalah pokok dan struktur ekonomi negara.
Pengurusan fiskal dan kewangan negara juga menunjukkan perbezaan yang
besar di antara Malaysia dan jiran kita, terutamanya Indonesia.
Tidak seperti Malaysia, Indonesia berjaya mengelak dari kemelesetan
ekonomi tahun 2009 dan terus mencatatkan pertumbuhan kukuh sebanyak
6.1% dalam tahun 2010, menjadikannya salah sebuah ekonomi paling
mampan di antara 20 negara terkaya di dunia. Laporan United Nations
Global Investment Trend Monitor (diterbitkan oleh UNCTAD pada 17
Januari 2011) mencatatkan aliran masuk pelaburan asing (FDI) sebanyak
USD12.8 bilion bagi tahun 2010; yang kedua tertinggi di rantau ini
selepas Singapura. Pelaburan baru menyumbang sebanyak 32.2% kepada
ekonomi Indonesia sementara perbelanjaan kerajaan menyumbang hanyalah
9.1% kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi. Keseluruhan pencapaian ini berasaskan
perbelanjaan kerajaan yang berhemah dan tidak berlebihan. Angka
defisit fiskal dan hutang kerajaan hanyalah masing-masing 1.1% dan
28.3% berbanding KDNK bagi tahun 2010.
Keadaannya sangat berbeza di Malaysia. Jumlah hutang Kerajaan
Persekutuan telah mencecah RM407 bilion menjelang akhir 2010,
bersamaan 53.1% berbanding saiz KDNK negara. Kegagalan merancakkan
pelaburan swasta menyebabkan kerajaan terlalu bergantung kepada projek-
projek mega dan perbelanjaan kerajaan untuk mencapai sasaran
pertumbuhan ekonomi, sehinggakan defisit fiskal menjadi salah satu
masalah utama ekonomi negara.
Defisit fiskal negara memuncak pada aras 7% dalam tahun 2009 dan hanya
menurun kepada 5.6% tahun lalu, sedangkan sasaran kerajaan yang
diumumkan di dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 adalah 5.3% bagi tahun
2010. Malaysia hanya berjaya menarik aliran masuk pelaburan asing
(FDI) sebanyak USD7 bilion dalam tahun 2010, jauh ditinggalkan
Singapura yang mendapat sejumlah USD37.4 bilion aliran masuk pelaburan
asing.
Berdasarkan angka-angka dan perbandingan ini, jelas bahawa pertumbuhan
7.2% hanyalah satu lagi bukti bahawa ekonomi kita semakin
terkebelakang berbanding dengan negara jiran. Daya saing Malaysia di
pasaran antarabangsa semakin merudum dan kedudukan fiskal serta
kewangan negara lebih buruk berbanding negara-negara jiran.
Rakyat tidak akan terkeliru dengan pelbagai kempen dan janji manis
yang dibuat kerajaan dan akan terus menuntut reformasi ekonomi agar
prospek ekonomi yang malap ini dapat diubah. Reformasi ekonomi hanya
akan berkesan sekiranya didokong oleh reformasi politik yang ikhlas.
Malangnya, Kerajaan Persekutuan yang ada telah dibuktikan berkali-kali
tiada keikhlasan dalam melaksanakan reformasi politik. Makanya,
sebarang dasar ekonomi yang diperkenalkan sebagai reaksi politik tidak
akan berjaya menyelesaikan masalah kemalapan ekonomi Malaysia.
DATO' SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
KETUA PEMBANGKANG
19 FEBRUARI 2011
===
MALAYSIAN ECONOMY IN 2010:
CONTINUING A TREND OF UNDER PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO NEIGHBOURS
The growth rate of 7.2% registered by the Malaysian economy in 2010
requires a closer scrutiny to understand its full ramifications.
The 7.2% growth should not be viewed in vacuum and must be compared
with what our neighbours had achieved in 2010. Singapore and Indonesia
registered a growth of 14.5% and 6.1% respectively in 2010. Both
outperform Malaysia's growth by miles especially considering that
Indonesia's 6.1% growth was calculated on a higher base as Indonesia
did not face economic contraction in 2009 unlike Malaysia or
Singapore.
In the case of Singapore, the 14.5% growth was achieved on the back of
a strong rebound in manufacturing sector which recorded an annual
growth of 29.7%. Our performance pales in comparison on both accounts
– the growth is half of what Singapore achieved while the growth in
manufacturing sector was only 11.4% for 2010, nearly a third of
Singapore's manufacturing growth.
There was a big contrast in the way each government explains this in
spite of the fact that both countries are export oriented and highly
dependent on the global economy – while Singapore cites a strong
external demand for its manufacturing products, Malaysia claims the
opposite. The reality is our manufacturing products are steadily
losing its competitiveness in the global market as we are relegated to
the lower rung of the value chain while competitors like Singapore
upgrade higher and higher on the value chain. This was pointed out a
decade ago, yet nothing effective has been put in place to stem this
decline apart from continuous rhetoric paid for by taxpayers' money.
The relatively lower manufacturing growth is compounded by
contractions in the fourth quarter of 2010 in two fundamental sectors
of the economy. Both mining and agriculture form a significant revenue
earner for the Federal Government in the form of income from oil and
gas extraction and palm oil. Mining and agriculture sectors registered
contractions of 1.3% and 4.3% respectively in the fourth quarter. The
annual growth of only 0.2% and 1.7% in mining and agricultural sectors
respectively is another symptom of stagnation plaguing the economy.
This is correlated by key indices used to gauge the sentiment of
business community and the public on the direction of the economy. The
Business Condition Index published by the Malaysian Institute of
Economic Research (MIER) loses 5.4 points quarter-to-quarter in the
last quarter of 2010, to settle below 100 points for the first time in
nearly two years. In fact, the business community's confidence on the
overall outlook of the economy had been on the decline since the
beginning of 2010. As for the public sentiment, while the Consumer
Sentiments Index did improve to 117.2 points in the fourth quarter, it
has not recovered to the level of 2007 prior to the fuel price hike of
2008.
YAB Dato' Seri Najib should have been more forthcoming with the public
to admit that there is a big disconnect between his economic
grandstanding via ETPs and the reality felt by the business community
and the public. There is a high degree of scepticism that the series
of announcements made are only a smokescreen that will benefit the
same type of ruling and business elites while the fundamental problems
of the economic are left unhealed.
The fiscal management of the economy also reveals a stark difference
between Malaysia and our neighbours, especially Indonesia.
Unlike Malaysia, Indonesia has managed to avoid recession in 2009 and
continued to register a strong growth of 6.1% in 2010 in spite of the
higher growth base, making it one of the best performing economies
among the world's top 20 rich and developing countries. United Nations
Global Investment Trend Monitor (published by UNCTAD on 17 January
2011) recorded Indonesia's foreign direct investment inflows at
USD12.8 billion in 2010; only second to Singapore in this region in
terms of attracting FDIs. New investments contribute 32.2% to the
country's economy while government expenditure only contributes 9.1%
to the economic growth. This sterling performance was achieved on the
back of moderate government spending – Indonesia's fiscal deficit and
public sector debt was only 1.1% and 28.3% of its GDP respectively in
2010.
Malaysia's economic story is the opposite of Indonesia's. The total
Federal Government debt has ballooned to RM407 billion as at the end
of 2010, representing 53.1% of the GDP. The stagnation in private
investments had caused the government to rely on pump priming to fuel
the economic growth, so much so that fiscal deficit remains one of the
biggest economic problems the country is facing. Fiscal deficit peaked
at 7% in 2009 and only moderated to 5.6% in 2010, above the
government's own target of 5.3% as set out in 10th Malaysian Plan.
Malaysia only managed to attract USD7 billion worth of FDIs in 2010
compared to USD37.4 billion achieved by Singapore.
Against this backdrop, the 7.2% growth is yet another proof that our
economy is sliding downwards relative to our neighbours. We are losing
our competitiveness and our fiscal position is in a lot worse shape
compared to the neighbours.
No amount of glossing and public relations campaigns can confuse the
public of the urgent need to institute vital economic reforms to
reverse the slide. Economic reforms can only be effective if
complimented by an equally strong set of political reforms.
Unfortunately, this government is incapable of embracing political
reforms as proven time and time again, so any reactionary new economic
policies will not be able to address the malaise of the Malaysian
economy.
DATO' SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
LEADER OF OPPOSITION
19 FEBRUARY 2011
Follow your instinct in knowing what is good for you: stretching in exercises
Actually what this article actually says is that it is best to rely on
your instinct. If you find and feel that it is good for you, than do
it.
your instinct. If you find and feel that it is good for you, than do
it.
If you had run without stretching, continue without stretching because
stretching will increase injury rate.
Similarly for those who had been stretching. Not stretching will also
increase injury rate.
Skip the Stretch Before Running — It Doesn't Prevent Injuries
By Alice Park Friday, February 18, 2011 | 21 comments
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Most runners, whether they're training for a marathon or simply out to
get some exercise, will stretch before they take off. It's a ritual
that verges on the sacred, strongly connected to the intuitive sense
that priming the muscles is a good way to avoid injuring them during
the run to come.
But researchers at George Washington University and the USA Track and
Field Association (USATF) report that stretching before a run does not
appear to reduce injury at all. In fact, among the more than 2,700
runners in the study, ranging from recreational runners to competitive
marathoners, all of whom ran at least 10 miles a week, the scientists
found similar injury rates — of about 16% — over a three-month period
among those who stretched before running and those who did not.
The idea behind stretching is to lengthen the muscle fibers to
increase their function and hopefully enhance performance, helping
runners maintain a faster pace or run for a longer period of time. A
study of British recruits in the military found that a regular
stretching routine before training reduced injury rates from 6% to 1%.
But other recent studies among gymnasts, football players and
wrestlers have questioned the practice, suggesting that stretching
does not impact performance at all.
That's why Dr. Daniel Pereles, a runner himself, decided to look
specifically at the role that stretching might play in running
injuries. Most studies on the subject, including the British trial in
the military, involved stretching routines that included much more
than stretching running muscles; they also incorporated calisthenics
and other exercises. Pereles wanted to know specifically whether
stretching leg muscles — the quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles —
would have an impact on injuries.
Through the USATF, Pereles was able to recruit enough runners of
various levels to get an answer to his question. About half of the
2,729 volunteers were told to stretch their quads, hams and calf
muscles for three to five minutes before running for however long they
usually exercised. The remaining half were told to run without
stretching.
While he found that stretching did not have any effect on injury rates
among the two groups, he did find several factors that did seem to
influence whether the runners hurt themselves. Heavier runners, as
well as those who had recently suffered an injury, were more likely to
harm themselves. Interestingly, Pereles also found that those who
switched from a stretch to non-stretch or non-stretch to stretch
routine for the study were more likely to get injured. Stretchers who
were told not to stretch during the three-month study increased their
risk of injury by 40%, while those who switched from not stretching to
stretching increased their risk by 22%.
Pereles is still at a loss to explain that trend, although he suspects
the change in routine accounts for most of the result. "It's
completely confounding, but by switching routines, it somehow messed
them up," he says.
That's why his advice, as both researcher and runner, is to stick with
what works for you. "If it feels good for you to stretch before you
run, then continue if you have the time," he says. "But if it doesn't
feel good, and you like to run and then stretch, or not stretch at
all, then that's fine too. I can't tell anyone there is conclusive
evidence that stretching makes a difference in injuries or
performance."
He notes that professional athletes, who often spend as much time
stretching and warming up as they do training, are combining
stretching with other activities for a more dynamic warm-up. Most
recreational runners, however, don't have the luxury of spending that
much time exercising. Pereles himself admits to changing his running
routine as well, and stretching only a little before a run. Part of
the reason, he says, is because he doesn't have the time, and but part
of the reason has to do with the science, which so far suggests that
it doesn't seem to make a difference in injury rates.
M'sia growth tops forecasts, economy ahead of S'pore???
The article below is very interesting. The difference in GDP between
Malaysia and Singapore is so small, less than 10% that by next year,
Singapore will surely overtake Malaysia.
Malaysia and Singapore is so small, less than 10% that by next year,
Singapore will surely overtake Malaysia.
Malaysia with its policy of devaluations, will surely see a much
slower real growth of GDP in Singapore dollar terms as Malaysian
ringgit keeps on being devalued. In contrast, Singapore has been
slowing but surely strengthening its dollar so that it does not need a
high GDP growth in order to overtake Malaysia.
Malaysia with a population of 30 million, vs 3 million for Singapore.
The per capita income gap is very great indeed.
About 10 times higher for Singapore. This explains why almost every
Singaporean owns Iphone. Android has no chance in Singapore.
M'sia growth tops forecasts, economy ahead of S'pore
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia achieved better-than-expected economic growth
for last year, staying ahead of Singapore to retain the position of
South-east Asia's third-largest economy after Indonesia and Thailand.
Malaysia's Department of Statistics on Friday said the export-
dependent economy grew 4.8 per cent in the fourth quarter from the
corresponding period a year earlier, compared to 5.3 per cent in the
third quarter, driven by strong performance in the manufacturing and
services sector.
Exports, however, continued to drag on growth, with shipments in the
fourth quarter expanding by only 3.7 per cent compared to 10.4 per
cent in the third.
For the full year, the Malaysian economy expanded 7.2 per cent, the
most in 10 years and a rebound from the contraction of 1.7 per cent
last year. Economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast that fourth
quarter growth moderated to 4.5 per cent from a year earlier and that
full-year growth would hit 7 per cent.
At current prices, Malaysian 2010 gross domestic product hit RM766
billion, or about S$321.2 billion. On Thursday, Singapore reported
last year's GDP of S$303.7 billion.
Acknowledging that growth would moderate this year, Bank Negara
Malaysia, the central bank, said the uneven global economic recovery
would have an impact on Malaysia and pointed out that uncertainties
remained over weak fiscal positions, high unemployment and constrained
lending conditions in advanced economies.
Bank Negara said: "The pace of growth of the Malaysian economy will be
affected by the environment of moderating demand. Growth will
nevertheless be supported by continued expansion in domestic demand."
Economists say the central bank's statement suggested it would likely
push back a rate hike to the second half of the year.
Bank Islam economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajudin said: "Given the modest
economic outlook and with still manageable inflation outlook, I think
we may see the first rate hike only in the second half of this year,
towards the third quarter."
A Reuters poll of economists showed they expected the Malaysian
economy to grow 5.1 per cent this year. AGENCIES
More examples of Judges that are above the constitution
We read about cases where judges are above Parliament in limiting
freedom of speech, and now evidence that it is also above the
constitution and worse, natural justice. Even in cases involving a
speaker where it is clearly stated in the constitution that judges
cannot interfere, not only is the judge interfering, it also deny a
single day adjournment of the court hearing.
freedom of speech, and now evidence that it is also above the
constitution and worse, natural justice. Even in cases involving a
speaker where it is clearly stated in the constitution that judges
cannot interfere, not only is the judge interfering, it also deny a
single day adjournment of the court hearing.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/02/18/teng-wants-to-set-aside-unjust-ruling/
Teng wants to set aside 'unjust' ruling
Patrick Lee
| February 18, 2011
For Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim, the battle is not over as he
makes a bid to overturn the High Court's ruling on Badrul Hisham
Abdullah.
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor State Legislative Assembly will file an
application to set aside the judgment allowing Port Klang assemblyman
Badrul Hisham Abdullah to keep his seat.
Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim said that the Shah Alam High Court's
decision was "unjust and highly unprecedented".
He said that his counsel, Tommy Thomas, was unable to show up at
today's hearing as he was currently attending a three-day trial in
Johor Baru.
Teng said that the separate trial, which ended today, was already
fixed several months ago.
As a result, Teng said that on Feb 11, his counsel had applied for an
adjournment of the Feb 17 hearing.
However, this application was rejected on Feb 14.
On Feb 16, Thomas's assistant applied for a second adjournment before
the court's deputy registrar.
The deputy registrar acceded to the request, but would only move the
hearing to Feb 18.
In a final move, the counsel's assistant attempted to apply for
adjournment of today's hearing, but was rejected.
These rejections angered Teng, who accused the High Court of being
unnecessarily harsh.
"I don't see why the court should be so harsh. We are not asking for a
long adjournment. My counsel is not available on the 17th or the
18th," he told reporters at the Selangor State Secretariat.
Breach of natural justice
Teng said that the court's tactics did not give him enough time to
apply for a counsel of his choice.
"The court has to take judicial notice that this case involves the
Speaker. It is not a case involving a Tom, Dick or Harry," he said.
He said that it was a breach of natural justice when a defendant was
not given an opportunity to be heard. "Justice hurried is justice
buried," he said.
Quoting Article 72 of the Federal Constitution, Teng added that the
declarations made by a Speaker of any House, whether it was state or
federal, should have been free from court proceedings.
"What kind of judiciary do we have here?" he said.
Commenting on Badrul's declaration of victory, Teng said: "As far as I
am concerned, it is his own declaration. It is not binding. My
declaration still stands."
Teng had earlier declared the Port Klang seat vacant on Jan 20,
claiming that Badrul had failed to attend state assembly sittings for
six months without a valid reason.
However, Badrul challenged the decision and filed a suit before the
Shah Alam High Court.
Winning first as a PKR candidate in the 2008 general election, Badrul
later left the party as an indepedent in October 2009. He then joined
Umno in May 2010.
Also read:
Badrul kekal wakil rakyat Pelabuhan Klang
Thursday, 17 February 2011
A good analysis of Malaysian Sultan of Sulu
Unlike the Sabahan comments on the Malaysian Sulu Sultan, this article
from Singapore is a much better neutral analysis although its facts
are not complete because they are not Tausug and would therefore miss
a few details. A good academic reference will be the UMS book by Bala
Bilcher.
The rights of the Sultanate of Sulu over Sabah is recognised by United
Kingdom and the Malaysian government keeps on paying the rental in
current US dollars. Because the claimants are too poor, they cannot
ask for more money for inflation adjustment, but I am pretty sure that
any International court will grant an inflation or devaluation
adjustment for the sake of justice. After all, the amount will still
be not more than a few million RM.
However the Filipinoes, via the Philippine government, asks for absurd
amount of money equivalent to the entire GDP of Sabah that includes
its oil revenue. Even the State Government of Sabah does not get that
much money. Most of it has gone to the Federal Government of Malaysia.
This kind of greed will never be accepted by any world court.
This kind of rental agreement is very common even among Malaysian
states. There was a case of the Kedah state claiming from Penang
State. Penang used to be administered by the British who rent the
island from the Sultan of Kedah.
Many Malaysians are also of the Tausug descent and many have royal
blood. It is common for the Sultan to send his relatives to administer
his states. Conflicts among the true descendents are also common so
that a more deserving line is neglected. In the current case, the old
line had been cut off because of the lack of heir. That means other
lines, such as claimed by Akjan still has the basis. His PM, is
actually a Filipino lawyer from Zamboanga. I read an article
describing how he tried to find the true sultan of Sulu instead of the
current claimants.
This Akjan is a very successful businessman, no doubt as a result of
capital raised by selling ICs to his fellow immigrants. He was caught
and imprisoned via ISA, i.e. detention without any trial, which means
that the true story is not known. The real story is most likely that
he is not selling fake ICs but REAL ICs produced by the Registration
department. This is the only plausible explanation because if he
really was seling fake ICs, he should have been charged under
Malaysian civil laws. He wasn't charged with any illegal infringement.
Even oppositiion parties, such as the one led by Yong Teck Lee, just
does not bother to check the facts and assume that this Akjan is
actually guilty of endangering the security of Malaysia even without
any trial being conducted.
Those artifacts probably had been around in Sabah for a long time. In
fact, a few Sabahans and brought them to the Sultan of Brunei for
verification but because the words include the subjugation of the
Sultan of Brunei, they were sent back to Sabah after their hair was
made bold. This Akjan could have managed to get hold of these
artifacts and claim to be the Sultan of Sulu and this Filipino lawyer
believed him. No doubt enticed by him.
As to Malaysians claiming to be the Sultan of Sulu, it is not strange
at all. Many Sabahans are also claimants to the throne by virtue of
their birth rights. Those with traditional Datu titles which include
Datu Mustapha, the first TYT, Johar bin Datu Mahirudin(Johar does not
use the Datu title) current TYT are Tausug people that have Sulu
royalty blood in them. In fact, Pandikar Amin, the current speaker,
although an Iranun(actually LANUN), also has the Datu title, which
means that his ancestors are actually Tausug. Many Sabahans just don't
bother with these titles and forget about them as being useless. Only
the Filipinoes in their hundreds, want to claim this right but on
paper many have already surrendered their rights to the Filipino
government, no doubt paid outright.
But Sabahan Tausug, labeled here as Orang Suluk, by the British in our
birth certificates, are never consulted. We have just as much right as
they are in determining who the Sultan of Sulu should be. In fact,
SAbahans have more right than those Filipinoes because Sulu State
there is not sovereign and can be considered as a conquered state,
whereas SAbah can be considered as independent. As for the true Sulu
sultan, it is not strictly hereditary, but by concensus. This is also
common in many states in Malaysia, a good example is at Negeri
Sembilan.
As a SAbahan Suluk, I don't like this Akjan. His loyalty is suspicious
because he is not born in Sabah. The cultures of the Filipino Tausugs
are different from Sabahan Suluks. I would rather make Juhar as our
Sultan than this uneducated Akjan. This will silence the claims by the
Filipinoes who want to claim the whole of Sabah, contrary to the
rental agreement. The rental agreement only cover Kudat to Tawau, i.e.
the eastern part of Sabah, i.e. no oil revenue.
Many Sabahans especially the non-Muslims are against this Sultan of
Sulu in Sabah. But it is not strange that a Sultan or King can be just
like an ordinary citizen. Even the Emperor of China used to be treated
like that, but everyone knows that he is the emperor of China but
without any sovereignty. Similarly for Indonesia. There are many
sultans there that are just ordinary citizens.
In Malaysia also, it is not illegal to use various titles, such as
Tengku, Raja, Megat, Mior, Syed, Sharifah, Siti etc. Usually these
people have reasons to use these titles due to hereditary rights but
because they are not controlled, many people just use the title Siti
without any significance at all. In SAbah, I don't find such misuse of
the word Datu among Sabahans, only filipinoes.Many Sabahans like
Pandikar and Juhar, don't bother to extend their parent's datukship,
or rather their parents don't include it in their names, except DAtuk
Khalik Zaman.
Khalik Zaman was awarded a DAtukship by Harris Salleh, but later
retracted, so he changed his name to Datuk Khalik Zaman. You can see
his name at his Villa at Petagas.
https://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.malaysia/post?hl=en&pli=1
Browse: Home / Analysis / A New 'Sultan' of Sulu in Malaysia:
Implications for Politics and Bilateral Ties
A New 'Sultan' of Sulu in Malaysia: Implications for Politics and
Bilateral Ties
Written by: RSIS
Bookmark and Share
For decades there have been many contenders to the title of the Sultan
of Sulu. Recently a Malaysian citizen has proclaimed himself to be the
'real Sultan of Sulu'. The consequences of this proclamation will be
felt in Malaysian domestic politics and may affect Malaysia-Philippine
ties.
By Farish A Noor
FOR DECADES there have been many contenders to the title of the Sultan
of Sulu. Since late 2010 the debate over who was the rightful heir to
the throne arose again in the East Malaysian state of Sabah. Then the
self-styled 'Prime Minister of the Sultanate of Sulu', Datu Albi Ahmad
Julkarnain, announced that the 'Sulu government' would soon declare
the identity of the real inheritor to the throne of Sulu, and by so
doing desist in all its claims to Sabah.
Malaysia
Malaysia
The New 'Sultan of Sulu'
In the first week of February 2011 a local Sabahan sub-contractor and
businessman Datu Mohd Akjan bin Datu Ali Muhammad, was declared as the
real 'Sultan of Sulu' at a ceremony in Kota Kinabalu. The event was
witnessed by 60 representatives from the various Tausug communities of
Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, Sulu and Sabah. With the proclamation of Datu
Akjan as the reigning Sultan of Sulu with the title Sultan Paduka
Mahasari Maulana al-Marhum Sultan Shariful-Hashim II, the Sulu
'government' officially relinquished its claims to Sabah. The
rationale was that since the 1970s the Malaysian government had been
kind to Sulu exiles who fled from the Philippines.
Immediately after the proclamation, local politicians from East
Malaysia raised the question of how a Malaysian citizen could
unilaterally declare himself as the sovereign of another country. The
former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee of the Sabah Progressive
Party urged the Malaysian government to clarify the matter, citing the
allegations against Mohd Akjan and stating that he had once been
allegedly detained for fabricating identity cards in Sabah.
The former chief minister also noted that it was highly irregular to
have a Malaysian citizen proclaim himself to be the Sultan of a
separate state and head of a foreign government-in-exile, and not to
pledge loyalty to the King of Malaysia and the Malaysian constitution.
Other Sabah politicians including former senator Chong Eng Leong also
added that this recent development might contribute to more foreigners
coming to settle in Sabah.
Problem of an extinct kingdom
The problem of Sulu is a complex one. The Sultanate of Sulu – it once
covered an area that extended from the Sulu and Palawan islands,
across the Spratly islands, Basilan and parts of North Borneo,
including present-day Sabah – ceased to exist after its last ruler
Sultan Muhammad Fadzlun was forced to surrender his power in 1862.
When Sabah became part of the Federation of Malaysia in 1962 the
Philippines was initially hostile to the move as it claimed that Sabah
was once part of the kingdom of Sulu, and that Sulu was part of the
Philippines.
From 1962 to the late 1990s, many Filipino citizens had fled the
conflict zone of Southern Philippines and settled in Malaysia. Critics
of the new 'Sultan of Sulu' have claimed that he falls into the same
category of citizens of ambiguous origin. According to local media
reports, 'Sultan' Akjan was born in Jambangan, Nipah-Nipah on 23
November 1957 but his Malaysian identity card states that he was born
in Sabah on 7 July 1957.
The complications that may arise from this curious event are manifold:
Firstly, it raises the question of the dual loyalties of those former
Philippine citizens who were allowed to settle in Malaysia and to
assume Malaysian citizenship. 'Sultan' Akjan's detractors in Sabah
have presented him as a foreigner who has lived in Malaysia under the
protection of Malaysian law, but who now claims to be the ruler of a
separate state – thereby raising questions related to the loyalty of
Malaysian citizens to the King (Yang di Pertuan Agong) of Malaysia and
the Malaysian constitution.
Secondly, this new development has further raised the political
temperature in Sabah where opposition leaders and parties have tried
in recent months to rekindle feelings of Sabahan solidarity and
opposition to the Federal government of West Malaysia. Sabah
politicians like Yong Teck Lee have once against raised the issue of
the granting of Malaysian citizenship status to foreigners in Sabah,
which local Sabah opposition leaders claim has led to the relative
shrinking of the size of the original Sabahan population thanks to the
influx of foreign migrants, both legal and illegal.
Implications for Malaysia-Philippines relations
Thirdly it raises the thorny question of how the Philippines would
react to the claim by Datu Mohd Akjan/ Sultan Shariful-Hashim II. The
Philippine government had already installed its own monarch in Sulu,
whom Manila claims to be the rightful Sultan of Sulu. At the
investiture ceremony in February 2011, both Datu Mohd Akjan/ Sultan
Shariful-Hashim II and his Prime Minister Datu Albi Ahmad Julkarnain
claimed that the Sulu Sultanate was not a part of the Philippines and
has never been a part of the Philippines – a move that was bound to
upset the Philippine government in Manila.
By claiming themselves to be the real (albeit virtual) government of
Sulu in exile, Sultan Shariful-Hashim II and Datu Albi Ahmad were also
claiming by extension that the present-day rulers and government of
Sulu who are backed by the Philippine government are illegitimate.
They insisted that the matter would eventually be brought to the
International Court of Justice and the United Nations, and that one
day the Sultanate of Sulu ought to be recognised as an independent
Sultanate in its own right.
Thus what began as a seemingly obscure and trivial matter may have
long-term repercussions and consequences to the internal politics of
Malaysia/Sabah as well as Malaysian-Philippines relations.
Farish A Noor is a Senior Fellow with the Contemporary Islam Programme
at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang
Technological University.
About the author:
RSIS
RSISRSIS Commentaries are intended to provide timely and, where
appropriate, policy relevant background and analysis of contemporary
developments. The views of the author/s are their own and do not
represent the official position of the S.Rajaratnam School of
International Studies (RSIS), NTU, which produces the Commentaries.
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RSIS February 17, 2011 Analysis Malaysia No Comments 55 views
The Facebook Jihad Bahrain Main Opposition Group says 2 Dead in
Crackdown
Leave a Reply
from Singapore is a much better neutral analysis although its facts
are not complete because they are not Tausug and would therefore miss
a few details. A good academic reference will be the UMS book by Bala
Bilcher.
The rights of the Sultanate of Sulu over Sabah is recognised by United
Kingdom and the Malaysian government keeps on paying the rental in
current US dollars. Because the claimants are too poor, they cannot
ask for more money for inflation adjustment, but I am pretty sure that
any International court will grant an inflation or devaluation
adjustment for the sake of justice. After all, the amount will still
be not more than a few million RM.
However the Filipinoes, via the Philippine government, asks for absurd
amount of money equivalent to the entire GDP of Sabah that includes
its oil revenue. Even the State Government of Sabah does not get that
much money. Most of it has gone to the Federal Government of Malaysia.
This kind of greed will never be accepted by any world court.
This kind of rental agreement is very common even among Malaysian
states. There was a case of the Kedah state claiming from Penang
State. Penang used to be administered by the British who rent the
island from the Sultan of Kedah.
Many Malaysians are also of the Tausug descent and many have royal
blood. It is common for the Sultan to send his relatives to administer
his states. Conflicts among the true descendents are also common so
that a more deserving line is neglected. In the current case, the old
line had been cut off because of the lack of heir. That means other
lines, such as claimed by Akjan still has the basis. His PM, is
actually a Filipino lawyer from Zamboanga. I read an article
describing how he tried to find the true sultan of Sulu instead of the
current claimants.
This Akjan is a very successful businessman, no doubt as a result of
capital raised by selling ICs to his fellow immigrants. He was caught
and imprisoned via ISA, i.e. detention without any trial, which means
that the true story is not known. The real story is most likely that
he is not selling fake ICs but REAL ICs produced by the Registration
department. This is the only plausible explanation because if he
really was seling fake ICs, he should have been charged under
Malaysian civil laws. He wasn't charged with any illegal infringement.
Even oppositiion parties, such as the one led by Yong Teck Lee, just
does not bother to check the facts and assume that this Akjan is
actually guilty of endangering the security of Malaysia even without
any trial being conducted.
Those artifacts probably had been around in Sabah for a long time. In
fact, a few Sabahans and brought them to the Sultan of Brunei for
verification but because the words include the subjugation of the
Sultan of Brunei, they were sent back to Sabah after their hair was
made bold. This Akjan could have managed to get hold of these
artifacts and claim to be the Sultan of Sulu and this Filipino lawyer
believed him. No doubt enticed by him.
As to Malaysians claiming to be the Sultan of Sulu, it is not strange
at all. Many Sabahans are also claimants to the throne by virtue of
their birth rights. Those with traditional Datu titles which include
Datu Mustapha, the first TYT, Johar bin Datu Mahirudin(Johar does not
use the Datu title) current TYT are Tausug people that have Sulu
royalty blood in them. In fact, Pandikar Amin, the current speaker,
although an Iranun(actually LANUN), also has the Datu title, which
means that his ancestors are actually Tausug. Many Sabahans just don't
bother with these titles and forget about them as being useless. Only
the Filipinoes in their hundreds, want to claim this right but on
paper many have already surrendered their rights to the Filipino
government, no doubt paid outright.
But Sabahan Tausug, labeled here as Orang Suluk, by the British in our
birth certificates, are never consulted. We have just as much right as
they are in determining who the Sultan of Sulu should be. In fact,
SAbahans have more right than those Filipinoes because Sulu State
there is not sovereign and can be considered as a conquered state,
whereas SAbah can be considered as independent. As for the true Sulu
sultan, it is not strictly hereditary, but by concensus. This is also
common in many states in Malaysia, a good example is at Negeri
Sembilan.
As a SAbahan Suluk, I don't like this Akjan. His loyalty is suspicious
because he is not born in Sabah. The cultures of the Filipino Tausugs
are different from Sabahan Suluks. I would rather make Juhar as our
Sultan than this uneducated Akjan. This will silence the claims by the
Filipinoes who want to claim the whole of Sabah, contrary to the
rental agreement. The rental agreement only cover Kudat to Tawau, i.e.
the eastern part of Sabah, i.e. no oil revenue.
Many Sabahans especially the non-Muslims are against this Sultan of
Sulu in Sabah. But it is not strange that a Sultan or King can be just
like an ordinary citizen. Even the Emperor of China used to be treated
like that, but everyone knows that he is the emperor of China but
without any sovereignty. Similarly for Indonesia. There are many
sultans there that are just ordinary citizens.
In Malaysia also, it is not illegal to use various titles, such as
Tengku, Raja, Megat, Mior, Syed, Sharifah, Siti etc. Usually these
people have reasons to use these titles due to hereditary rights but
because they are not controlled, many people just use the title Siti
without any significance at all. In SAbah, I don't find such misuse of
the word Datu among Sabahans, only filipinoes.Many Sabahans like
Pandikar and Juhar, don't bother to extend their parent's datukship,
or rather their parents don't include it in their names, except DAtuk
Khalik Zaman.
Khalik Zaman was awarded a DAtukship by Harris Salleh, but later
retracted, so he changed his name to Datuk Khalik Zaman. You can see
his name at his Villa at Petagas.
https://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.malaysia/post?hl=en&pli=1
Browse: Home / Analysis / A New 'Sultan' of Sulu in Malaysia:
Implications for Politics and Bilateral Ties
A New 'Sultan' of Sulu in Malaysia: Implications for Politics and
Bilateral Ties
Written by: RSIS
Bookmark and Share
For decades there have been many contenders to the title of the Sultan
of Sulu. Recently a Malaysian citizen has proclaimed himself to be the
'real Sultan of Sulu'. The consequences of this proclamation will be
felt in Malaysian domestic politics and may affect Malaysia-Philippine
ties.
By Farish A Noor
FOR DECADES there have been many contenders to the title of the Sultan
of Sulu. Since late 2010 the debate over who was the rightful heir to
the throne arose again in the East Malaysian state of Sabah. Then the
self-styled 'Prime Minister of the Sultanate of Sulu', Datu Albi Ahmad
Julkarnain, announced that the 'Sulu government' would soon declare
the identity of the real inheritor to the throne of Sulu, and by so
doing desist in all its claims to Sabah.
Malaysia
Malaysia
The New 'Sultan of Sulu'
In the first week of February 2011 a local Sabahan sub-contractor and
businessman Datu Mohd Akjan bin Datu Ali Muhammad, was declared as the
real 'Sultan of Sulu' at a ceremony in Kota Kinabalu. The event was
witnessed by 60 representatives from the various Tausug communities of
Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, Sulu and Sabah. With the proclamation of Datu
Akjan as the reigning Sultan of Sulu with the title Sultan Paduka
Mahasari Maulana al-Marhum Sultan Shariful-Hashim II, the Sulu
'government' officially relinquished its claims to Sabah. The
rationale was that since the 1970s the Malaysian government had been
kind to Sulu exiles who fled from the Philippines.
Immediately after the proclamation, local politicians from East
Malaysia raised the question of how a Malaysian citizen could
unilaterally declare himself as the sovereign of another country. The
former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee of the Sabah Progressive
Party urged the Malaysian government to clarify the matter, citing the
allegations against Mohd Akjan and stating that he had once been
allegedly detained for fabricating identity cards in Sabah.
The former chief minister also noted that it was highly irregular to
have a Malaysian citizen proclaim himself to be the Sultan of a
separate state and head of a foreign government-in-exile, and not to
pledge loyalty to the King of Malaysia and the Malaysian constitution.
Other Sabah politicians including former senator Chong Eng Leong also
added that this recent development might contribute to more foreigners
coming to settle in Sabah.
Problem of an extinct kingdom
The problem of Sulu is a complex one. The Sultanate of Sulu – it once
covered an area that extended from the Sulu and Palawan islands,
across the Spratly islands, Basilan and parts of North Borneo,
including present-day Sabah – ceased to exist after its last ruler
Sultan Muhammad Fadzlun was forced to surrender his power in 1862.
When Sabah became part of the Federation of Malaysia in 1962 the
Philippines was initially hostile to the move as it claimed that Sabah
was once part of the kingdom of Sulu, and that Sulu was part of the
Philippines.
From 1962 to the late 1990s, many Filipino citizens had fled the
conflict zone of Southern Philippines and settled in Malaysia. Critics
of the new 'Sultan of Sulu' have claimed that he falls into the same
category of citizens of ambiguous origin. According to local media
reports, 'Sultan' Akjan was born in Jambangan, Nipah-Nipah on 23
November 1957 but his Malaysian identity card states that he was born
in Sabah on 7 July 1957.
The complications that may arise from this curious event are manifold:
Firstly, it raises the question of the dual loyalties of those former
Philippine citizens who were allowed to settle in Malaysia and to
assume Malaysian citizenship. 'Sultan' Akjan's detractors in Sabah
have presented him as a foreigner who has lived in Malaysia under the
protection of Malaysian law, but who now claims to be the ruler of a
separate state – thereby raising questions related to the loyalty of
Malaysian citizens to the King (Yang di Pertuan Agong) of Malaysia and
the Malaysian constitution.
Secondly, this new development has further raised the political
temperature in Sabah where opposition leaders and parties have tried
in recent months to rekindle feelings of Sabahan solidarity and
opposition to the Federal government of West Malaysia. Sabah
politicians like Yong Teck Lee have once against raised the issue of
the granting of Malaysian citizenship status to foreigners in Sabah,
which local Sabah opposition leaders claim has led to the relative
shrinking of the size of the original Sabahan population thanks to the
influx of foreign migrants, both legal and illegal.
Implications for Malaysia-Philippines relations
Thirdly it raises the thorny question of how the Philippines would
react to the claim by Datu Mohd Akjan/ Sultan Shariful-Hashim II. The
Philippine government had already installed its own monarch in Sulu,
whom Manila claims to be the rightful Sultan of Sulu. At the
investiture ceremony in February 2011, both Datu Mohd Akjan/ Sultan
Shariful-Hashim II and his Prime Minister Datu Albi Ahmad Julkarnain
claimed that the Sulu Sultanate was not a part of the Philippines and
has never been a part of the Philippines – a move that was bound to
upset the Philippine government in Manila.
By claiming themselves to be the real (albeit virtual) government of
Sulu in exile, Sultan Shariful-Hashim II and Datu Albi Ahmad were also
claiming by extension that the present-day rulers and government of
Sulu who are backed by the Philippine government are illegitimate.
They insisted that the matter would eventually be brought to the
International Court of Justice and the United Nations, and that one
day the Sultanate of Sulu ought to be recognised as an independent
Sultanate in its own right.
Thus what began as a seemingly obscure and trivial matter may have
long-term repercussions and consequences to the internal politics of
Malaysia/Sabah as well as Malaysian-Philippines relations.
Farish A Noor is a Senior Fellow with the Contemporary Islam Programme
at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang
Technological University.
About the author:
RSIS
RSISRSIS Commentaries are intended to provide timely and, where
appropriate, policy relevant background and analysis of contemporary
developments. The views of the author/s are their own and do not
represent the official position of the S.Rajaratnam School of
International Studies (RSIS), NTU, which produces the Commentaries.
* Waging Peace in Mindanao: The Aquino Way
* Anti-Mubarak Protests in Malaysia: How Arab Issues Travel
* The Islamic State Debate in Malaysia: Time for a Moratorium?
* World Oil Transit Chokepoints
* China's Maritime Ambitions: Implications for Regional Security
* Malaysia Energy Profile:
* Nuclear Energy In Southeast Asia: Competition Or Cooperation?
* PKR Elections: Anwar Strengthens His Hand
* More Than A Cake Party: Evolving Protest In Malaysia
* Diving In Changing Times: Malaysia's Submarine Programme
RSIS February 17, 2011 Analysis Malaysia No Comments 55 views
The Facebook Jihad Bahrain Main Opposition Group says 2 Dead in
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Leave a Reply
Polis tidak bersalah membunuh Aminulrasyid tetapi bersalah menuduh dan mencuba membunuh Aminuding!!!
Memang pun polis tidak akan didapati bersalah kerana menembak Amirul
yang membawa kereta. Saya sokong Mahkamah sebab ini memang ini yang
nyata dan Keluarga pun mungkin terpaksa akur.
Yang dimarahi ialah TUDUHAN BAHAWA AMIRUL DAN AMINUDIN ADALAH
PEROMPAK.
Apa bukti POLIS untuk menuduh mereka sebagai perompak? Langsung tidak
ada dan KENAPA PULA terburu buru menuduh walaupun tahu bahawa Aminudin
masih terselamat????
Kalau ada akal, senang saja. Semua yang dinyatakan oleh Aminudin lah
yang benar sepenuhnya. Dia tidak ada motif lain selain memberi
kenyataan yang benar tetapi POLIS ADA MOTIF UNTUK BERBOHONG, iaitu
UNTUK MEMBUNUH AMINUDIN dihari yang lain.
Polis juga yakin bahawa Pendakwa raya akan mempecayaan pehak polis
sehingga tidak akan menyoal mereka walaupun mereka TELAH MEMBUNUH
AMINUDIN. Bukan kah begitu kes kes pembunuhan beramai ramai oleh Polis
pada masa lalu???? Semua dituduh perompak ganas, ajaran sesatlah dan
banyak lagi, tetapi tidak ada bukti yang nyata. CUMA PARANG SAHAJA!!!
Cuma orang BODOH sahaja yang percaya bahawa dengan parang sahaja boleh
mengancap polis yang bersenjatakan rifle otomatik. Apa salahlah
hancurkan kaki sahaja!!! Atau badan sehingga tidak dapat bergerak,
kenapa PERLU BUNUH SEHINGGA HANCUR KEPALA!!!!
SELAGI POLIS MENUDUH AMINUDIN PEROMPAK, SELAGI ITULAH NYAWA AMINUDIN
DALAM BAHAYA. Awas tuan tuan semua.
Mahkamah putuskan kes Aminulrasyid 28 Februari
Jamilah Kamarudin
| February 17, 2011
SHAH ALAM: Mahkamah Sesyen menetapkan 28 Februari ini untuk memutuskan
sama ada wujudnya keraguan (prima facie) dalam kes pelajar Tingkatan
3, Aminulrasyid Amzah.yang ditembak mati polis di sini 26 April lalu,.
Mahkamah sepatutnya mendengar keputusan hari ini, namun Hakim Latifah
Mohd Tahar tidak berbuat demikian kerana masih lagi terdapat beberapa
perkara yang masih belum jelas baginya.
Sehubungan itu, beliau mengarahkan pihak pendakwaan dan pembelaan
supaya mengemukakan beberapa pengesahan hujah.
Antaranya jarak tembakan yang dilepaskan serta kedudukan tertuduh,
Koperal Jenain Subi dan rakannya yang juga penembak pertama Konstabel
Mohd Izham Mahayaddin semasa melepaskan tembakan.
Sementara itu, mahkamah turut dipenuhi dengan media, keluarga dan
rakan-rakan Aminulrasyid yang mahu mendengar keputusan kes ini.
Keluarga masih tuntut polis minta maaf
Peguam pemerhati mewakili keluarga Aminulrasyid, N Surendran berkata,
pihaknya masih menuntut supaya polis dan Kementerian Dalam Negeri
(KDN) meminta maaf kerana menggelarkan remaja itu sebagai penjenayah.
Polis sebelum ini mengesyaki Aminulrasyid terlibat dalam kejadian
jenayah kerana sebilah parang yang dijumpai dibawah tempat duduk
penumpang hadapan dalam kereta Iswara BET 2053 yang dipandu pada malam
kejadian.
"Sampai sekarang polis dan KDN masih enggan minta maaf kepada keluarga
Aminulrasyid walaupun tiada dakwaan yang membuktikan remaja ini
seorang penjenayah," katanya kepada pemberita di luar mahkamah.
Surendran yang juga Naib Presiden PKR mahu polis menjalankan siasatan
terhadap rakan yang juga saksi terakhir melihat Aminulrasyid hidup,
Azamuddin Mohd Omar.
Surendran berkata sehingga sekarang tiada siasatan dijalankan terhadap
polis yang menjatuhkan dan memukul ketika Azamuddin cuba melarikan
diri selepas kereta dipandu Aminulrasyid melanggar pokok.
"Laporan polis sudah dikemukakan malah Bukit Aman juga telah memanggil
Azamuddin untuk beri keterangan tetapi siasatan tidak dijalankan.
"Kami mahu polis bertanggungjawab dalam kes ini," katanya.
Jenain, 48, didakwa menyebabkan kematian Aminulrasyid, 15, antara
pukul 1.10 dan 2 pagi, 26 April tahun lalu di Jalan Tarian 11/2,
Seksyen 11, di sini.
Mengikut Seksyen 304(a) Kanun Keseksaan, beliau boleh dikenakan
hukuman penjara sehingga 30 tahun dan denda jika sabit kesalahan.
yang membawa kereta. Saya sokong Mahkamah sebab ini memang ini yang
nyata dan Keluarga pun mungkin terpaksa akur.
Yang dimarahi ialah TUDUHAN BAHAWA AMIRUL DAN AMINUDIN ADALAH
PEROMPAK.
Apa bukti POLIS untuk menuduh mereka sebagai perompak? Langsung tidak
ada dan KENAPA PULA terburu buru menuduh walaupun tahu bahawa Aminudin
masih terselamat????
Kalau ada akal, senang saja. Semua yang dinyatakan oleh Aminudin lah
yang benar sepenuhnya. Dia tidak ada motif lain selain memberi
kenyataan yang benar tetapi POLIS ADA MOTIF UNTUK BERBOHONG, iaitu
UNTUK MEMBUNUH AMINUDIN dihari yang lain.
Polis juga yakin bahawa Pendakwa raya akan mempecayaan pehak polis
sehingga tidak akan menyoal mereka walaupun mereka TELAH MEMBUNUH
AMINUDIN. Bukan kah begitu kes kes pembunuhan beramai ramai oleh Polis
pada masa lalu???? Semua dituduh perompak ganas, ajaran sesatlah dan
banyak lagi, tetapi tidak ada bukti yang nyata. CUMA PARANG SAHAJA!!!
Cuma orang BODOH sahaja yang percaya bahawa dengan parang sahaja boleh
mengancap polis yang bersenjatakan rifle otomatik. Apa salahlah
hancurkan kaki sahaja!!! Atau badan sehingga tidak dapat bergerak,
kenapa PERLU BUNUH SEHINGGA HANCUR KEPALA!!!!
SELAGI POLIS MENUDUH AMINUDIN PEROMPAK, SELAGI ITULAH NYAWA AMINUDIN
DALAM BAHAYA. Awas tuan tuan semua.
Mahkamah putuskan kes Aminulrasyid 28 Februari
Jamilah Kamarudin
| February 17, 2011
SHAH ALAM: Mahkamah Sesyen menetapkan 28 Februari ini untuk memutuskan
sama ada wujudnya keraguan (prima facie) dalam kes pelajar Tingkatan
3, Aminulrasyid Amzah.yang ditembak mati polis di sini 26 April lalu,.
Mahkamah sepatutnya mendengar keputusan hari ini, namun Hakim Latifah
Mohd Tahar tidak berbuat demikian kerana masih lagi terdapat beberapa
perkara yang masih belum jelas baginya.
Sehubungan itu, beliau mengarahkan pihak pendakwaan dan pembelaan
supaya mengemukakan beberapa pengesahan hujah.
Antaranya jarak tembakan yang dilepaskan serta kedudukan tertuduh,
Koperal Jenain Subi dan rakannya yang juga penembak pertama Konstabel
Mohd Izham Mahayaddin semasa melepaskan tembakan.
Sementara itu, mahkamah turut dipenuhi dengan media, keluarga dan
rakan-rakan Aminulrasyid yang mahu mendengar keputusan kes ini.
Keluarga masih tuntut polis minta maaf
Peguam pemerhati mewakili keluarga Aminulrasyid, N Surendran berkata,
pihaknya masih menuntut supaya polis dan Kementerian Dalam Negeri
(KDN) meminta maaf kerana menggelarkan remaja itu sebagai penjenayah.
Polis sebelum ini mengesyaki Aminulrasyid terlibat dalam kejadian
jenayah kerana sebilah parang yang dijumpai dibawah tempat duduk
penumpang hadapan dalam kereta Iswara BET 2053 yang dipandu pada malam
kejadian.
"Sampai sekarang polis dan KDN masih enggan minta maaf kepada keluarga
Aminulrasyid walaupun tiada dakwaan yang membuktikan remaja ini
seorang penjenayah," katanya kepada pemberita di luar mahkamah.
Surendran yang juga Naib Presiden PKR mahu polis menjalankan siasatan
terhadap rakan yang juga saksi terakhir melihat Aminulrasyid hidup,
Azamuddin Mohd Omar.
Surendran berkata sehingga sekarang tiada siasatan dijalankan terhadap
polis yang menjatuhkan dan memukul ketika Azamuddin cuba melarikan
diri selepas kereta dipandu Aminulrasyid melanggar pokok.
"Laporan polis sudah dikemukakan malah Bukit Aman juga telah memanggil
Azamuddin untuk beri keterangan tetapi siasatan tidak dijalankan.
"Kami mahu polis bertanggungjawab dalam kes ini," katanya.
Jenain, 48, didakwa menyebabkan kematian Aminulrasyid, 15, antara
pukul 1.10 dan 2 pagi, 26 April tahun lalu di Jalan Tarian 11/2,
Seksyen 11, di sini.
Mengikut Seksyen 304(a) Kanun Keseksaan, beliau boleh dikenakan
hukuman penjara sehingga 30 tahun dan denda jika sabit kesalahan.
Is coal power really dropped? Or just Election ploy
Judging from the strong support of the BN supporters who accepted the
argument that coal power is not really destroying the environment
despite evidences all around the world.
Some even put forward the ECONOMIC argument such as COAL is cheaper
than all other oil sources and is not subsidised. All lies because
COAL is actually very expensive and Malaysian government subsidises a
lot of it. It is only economical if coal is found nearby so that
transportation is cheap and no other choices such as availability of
gas and petroleum, such as in Europe.
For the eastern part of SAbah, where is the cheap source of coal?
MALIAU BASIN!!!! The part on earth that has the largest diversity of
flora and fauna. Is it really cheap?????
Sabah has an abundant of GAS. So much that it is worthwhile to SPEND
2.5billion RM just to build a PIPE????
Just use your simple imagination, and yet these idiotic supporters
still insist that GAS is not enough or cheap enough for SABAH???
Bloody idiot, considering the cost of the COAL POWER PLANT IS 2.5
BILLION RM, much more expensive than GAS POWER PLANTS, and it is ONLY
300MW.
In Europe it is more than 1000MW, making it somehow economical but
that was not the reason really. More for strategic reasons. With
300MW, just imagine how economic can it ever be.
The only revenue that Sabahans hope to get is the COAL but most of the
money goes to the Federal government in the form of EXCESSIVE PROFIT
TAX, which can be up to 90%. But then the losses is even more severe.
Tourism income will certainly suffer. In total the loss due to tourism
is much more than the TEMPORARY GAIN in COAL, so that the revenue of
the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL SUFFER in the long run.
Why on earth would anyone consider such an unthinkably stupid move?
And the suppporters are even worse. And these are among those who love
PHOTOGRAPHY???/
When the environment in Sabah were destroyed, what on earth can you
photograph then????
That is why, the reason why Sabah is so backward has nothing to do
with CORRUPTION AT ALL. It is just BLATANT STUPIDITY.
Since there are already so many supporters of the coal power plant, I
doubt, the state and federal governments will drop this utterly stupid
project. It is only just an election ploy. If they are really honest,
then convert Maliau Basin into a REALLY PROTECTED reserve!!! NONE
WHATSOEVER. ALL PROMISES, just like BN PROMISES.
100 days since 1994 for the removal of poverty in Sabah. In fact, it
turned Sabah into the POOREST NOT ONLY IN MALAYSIA, but the WHOLE
WORLD, as certified by the WORLD BANK even in 2010.
A liar is always a liar. Please take note. What makes you think that
someone who lie once, will not lie again. Only idiots but
unfortunately the idiots are the majority especially in Sabah, the
poorest region on earth.
What makes you think that the promise to drop the coal power plant
will be kept?? Only idiots will believe such lies especially there is
nothing concrete about it. Not even a single thread of HARD EVIDENCE,
as usual with all liars making statements.
The FACT IS VERY CLEAR. Election is around the corner. More lies will
be given out. Someone will just say, look at UMS, one of the promises
BN made? Look at the promise carefully??? Outside of UMS, I believe
in the lies, but inside it, it is very clear that it is just an empty
promise.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jcNYloLdcjdHLCeulVQxSkykjmrg?docId=CNG.c290e40a1c0e8fea7fa9aaf96fa3f507.461
Malaysia drops coal power plant scheme: minister
(AFP) – 5 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR — A plan to build a controversial coal-fired power plant
in Malaysian Borneo has been scrapped over fears of its impact on the
environment, a local minister was quoted as saying Thursday.
Musa Aman, Sabah chief minister, said coal would not be used as a
source of energy in the state as it could hurt the environment and
damage its key tourism industry.
"Sabah needs to increase its power supply but the state cannot put its
natural environment at risk," he was quoted as saying by the Star
newspaper.
"The environment is the biggest tourism draw," he said, adding the
state would look at natural gas as an alternative.
Environmentalists and the government's Department of Environment had
objected to the scheme, which would have seen the construction of a
300-megawatt plant in Lahad Datu, in Sabah state.
Sabah, along with Sarawak, makes up Malaysia's half of Borneo island,
which borders the Coral Triangle, one of the world's most biodiverse
marine environments.
The vast region, which spans the seas around East Timor, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands,
is home to 75 percent of all known coral species.
Opposition to the power station was led by Green Surf, a coalition of
groups including the Malaysian Nature Society, which said the plant
would displace villagers and threaten endangered species, including
orangutans and Bornean rhinos.
The shelving of the plant plan will be counted as a welcome victory
for campaigners angered by similar energy projects in Boreno.
The vast Bakun dam in neighbouring Sarawak drew intense criticism
after large swathes of rainforest were cleared and thousands of
indigenous people displaced.
argument that coal power is not really destroying the environment
despite evidences all around the world.
Some even put forward the ECONOMIC argument such as COAL is cheaper
than all other oil sources and is not subsidised. All lies because
COAL is actually very expensive and Malaysian government subsidises a
lot of it. It is only economical if coal is found nearby so that
transportation is cheap and no other choices such as availability of
gas and petroleum, such as in Europe.
For the eastern part of SAbah, where is the cheap source of coal?
MALIAU BASIN!!!! The part on earth that has the largest diversity of
flora and fauna. Is it really cheap?????
Sabah has an abundant of GAS. So much that it is worthwhile to SPEND
2.5billion RM just to build a PIPE????
Just use your simple imagination, and yet these idiotic supporters
still insist that GAS is not enough or cheap enough for SABAH???
Bloody idiot, considering the cost of the COAL POWER PLANT IS 2.5
BILLION RM, much more expensive than GAS POWER PLANTS, and it is ONLY
300MW.
In Europe it is more than 1000MW, making it somehow economical but
that was not the reason really. More for strategic reasons. With
300MW, just imagine how economic can it ever be.
The only revenue that Sabahans hope to get is the COAL but most of the
money goes to the Federal government in the form of EXCESSIVE PROFIT
TAX, which can be up to 90%. But then the losses is even more severe.
Tourism income will certainly suffer. In total the loss due to tourism
is much more than the TEMPORARY GAIN in COAL, so that the revenue of
the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL SUFFER in the long run.
Why on earth would anyone consider such an unthinkably stupid move?
And the suppporters are even worse. And these are among those who love
PHOTOGRAPHY???/
When the environment in Sabah were destroyed, what on earth can you
photograph then????
That is why, the reason why Sabah is so backward has nothing to do
with CORRUPTION AT ALL. It is just BLATANT STUPIDITY.
Since there are already so many supporters of the coal power plant, I
doubt, the state and federal governments will drop this utterly stupid
project. It is only just an election ploy. If they are really honest,
then convert Maliau Basin into a REALLY PROTECTED reserve!!! NONE
WHATSOEVER. ALL PROMISES, just like BN PROMISES.
100 days since 1994 for the removal of poverty in Sabah. In fact, it
turned Sabah into the POOREST NOT ONLY IN MALAYSIA, but the WHOLE
WORLD, as certified by the WORLD BANK even in 2010.
A liar is always a liar. Please take note. What makes you think that
someone who lie once, will not lie again. Only idiots but
unfortunately the idiots are the majority especially in Sabah, the
poorest region on earth.
What makes you think that the promise to drop the coal power plant
will be kept?? Only idiots will believe such lies especially there is
nothing concrete about it. Not even a single thread of HARD EVIDENCE,
as usual with all liars making statements.
The FACT IS VERY CLEAR. Election is around the corner. More lies will
be given out. Someone will just say, look at UMS, one of the promises
BN made? Look at the promise carefully??? Outside of UMS, I believe
in the lies, but inside it, it is very clear that it is just an empty
promise.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jcNYloLdcjdHLCeulVQxSkykjmrg?docId=CNG.c290e40a1c0e8fea7fa9aaf96fa3f507.461
Malaysia drops coal power plant scheme: minister
(AFP) – 5 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR — A plan to build a controversial coal-fired power plant
in Malaysian Borneo has been scrapped over fears of its impact on the
environment, a local minister was quoted as saying Thursday.
Musa Aman, Sabah chief minister, said coal would not be used as a
source of energy in the state as it could hurt the environment and
damage its key tourism industry.
"Sabah needs to increase its power supply but the state cannot put its
natural environment at risk," he was quoted as saying by the Star
newspaper.
"The environment is the biggest tourism draw," he said, adding the
state would look at natural gas as an alternative.
Environmentalists and the government's Department of Environment had
objected to the scheme, which would have seen the construction of a
300-megawatt plant in Lahad Datu, in Sabah state.
Sabah, along with Sarawak, makes up Malaysia's half of Borneo island,
which borders the Coral Triangle, one of the world's most biodiverse
marine environments.
The vast region, which spans the seas around East Timor, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands,
is home to 75 percent of all known coral species.
Opposition to the power station was led by Green Surf, a coalition of
groups including the Malaysian Nature Society, which said the plant
would displace villagers and threaten endangered species, including
orangutans and Bornean rhinos.
The shelving of the plant plan will be counted as a welcome victory
for campaigners angered by similar energy projects in Boreno.
The vast Bakun dam in neighbouring Sarawak drew intense criticism
after large swathes of rainforest were cleared and thousands of
indigenous people displaced.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Obama cautious on Iran protests
Obama might be cautious but Mrs. Clinton and most Americans aren't.
They are after Iranian blood. The Iranian opposition is not such a
huge majority judged by voting patterns although tainted by voting
fraud. It cannot be more than 70%. And most of them will not dare take
to the streets against the other 30% that are fanatical Muslims.
Unless the amount of discontent reaches 90% of the population,
demonstrations will not have much effect. Iranian government should
realise this and allow for peaceful demonstrations. If Iranian
government were really Islamic and truly care for the people, peaceful
demonstrations will not affect its power and the Islamic Republic.
A cruel Islamic Republic will only taint the good name of Islam, just
as the Taliban had done. Citizens of the world will not support such a
Republic and this include a lot of justice minded Muslims. If Iran
really hate Israel, it should also treat its people well. Allow
peaceful demonstrations. It will not affect its power base. With its
revolutionary guards, the demonstrators will have no way of taking
over the government.
If excessive force were to be imposed on the demonstrators and
opposition, it will give Israel and USA a pretext to damage Iran. Iran
may not be easy to conquer but Israel and USA can just destroy its
infrastructure just as they had done to Serbia. It will cause
unnecessary hardship to the people of Iran, and thus reducing support
for the Islamic Republic until it reaches over 90%, at which time, no
matter how fanatical the REvolutionary guards, we should not
underestimate the fanaticism of people who suffer from hardship. Just
look at Egypt.
ANALYSIS
Obama cautious on Iran protests
Video
Obama calls out Iran on suppressing protests
During a news conference, President Barack Obama says the Middle East
should look to Egypt's example as a way to bring about change, rather
than Iran where people are beaten and gunned down for expressing
themselves. (Feb. 15)
» LAUNCH VIDEO PLAYER
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By Scott Wilson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 15, 2011; 2:58 PM
President Obama addressed the Iranian demonstrations Tuesday with a
large measure of caution, calling on Iran's leaders to allow
protesters to express their grievances but stopping short of calling
for a change in government.
This Story
*
Obama urges Mideast allies to 'get out ahead' of protests,
denounces Iranian crackdown
*
Egypt economy awaits its lost tourists
*
Anti-government protests spread through Middle East
*
Palestinian cabinet resigns as Mideast turmoil spreads
*
Anti-government protests spread to Iran
*
Arab League leader says nations shouldn't fear revolts
*
Anti-government demonstrators clash with Yemeni president's
supporters in Sanaa
*
ANALYSIS: Obama cautious on Iran protests
View All Items in This Story
View Only Top Items in This Story
Obama's careful formulation, outlined during a morning news
conference, highlighted the sharp differences between the political
dynamic that his administration faces in Iran and the one that shaped
the recent revolt in Egypt. Obama faced a secular, allied government
in Egypt that had lost broad popular support. But in Iran he confronts
an Islamist regime hostile to American interests and eager to turn any
opposition movement into a proxy for the United States and Israel.
In the final days of Egypt's unrest, Obama aligned himself with the
demonstrators' demand for a new government. With Iran he has not been
so bold. His call Tuesday for Iran's Islamic government to allow
peaceful protest echoed the one he made after the opposition Green
Movement emerged on Tehran's streets in June 2009 following a disputed
presidential election, a response many conservatives criticized as
tepid.
"We were clear then and we are clear now that what has been true in
Egypt should be true in Iran - that people should be allowed to voice
their opinions and their grievances," Obama said. "What's been
different is the Iranian government's response."
Hours earlier in Iran, a day after anti-government demonstrators
defied a government ban on protests, hard-line lawmakers called for
the execution of three leading reformist and opposition figures, Mir
Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and former president Mohammad Khatami.
In his news conference, Obama continued to focus on the demonstrations
underway and not on his preferred outcome, a balance he also
maintained during the 18-day uprising in Egypt. Only in the final
stage did he align the United States with the demonstrators' call for
President Hosni Mubarak's immediate resignation.
Obama had more leverage in Egypt, where Mubarak had enjoyed American
support and billions in U.S. aid since emerging from the military
three decades ago to lead the country after his predecessor, Anwar
Sadat, was assassinated. There was no such support or funding in Iran,
where the 1979 revolution toppled the U.S.-backed shah and ushered in
an Islamist government hostile to most U.S. interests.
ad_icon
Click here!
Obama's caution stems from the same fear that appeared to guide his
response in June 2009: that a clear U.S. call for regime change in
Iran would allow President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to cast the protest
movement as a creation of Western governments and Israel.
"Each country is different, each country has its own traditions, and
America can't dictate what happens in these societies," Obama said,
adding that his administration would lend "moral support to those
seeking better lives."
Obama pointed to the lack of anti-American sentiment that appeared in
Tahrir Square during Egypt's uprising as evidence that allowing
demonstrators to take the lead - without instructions or goals
announced from Washington - was the correct course to take.
The administration is widely expected to follow the same path in Iran,
where the public is more likely to resist any American endorsement of
the protest movement than were Egyptians, whose country is one of only
two Arab nations that has a peace agreement with Israel.
Obama seems to be striking a more cautious note on Iran than his
secretary of state, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
On Monday, Clinton celebrated the Iranian demonstrations, saying that
she and others in the administration "very clearly and directly
support the aspirations" of the protesters, who advocate an end to
Iran's theocratic government.
Obama on Tuesday endorsed the Iranian demonstrators' right to protest
against their government without explicitly aligning the United States
with their goals.
"My hope and expectation is that we're going to continue to see the
people of Iran have the courage to be able to express their yearning
for greater freedoms and a more representative government,
understanding that America cannot ultimately dictate what happens
inside of Iran any more than it could inside of Egypt," he said.
They are after Iranian blood. The Iranian opposition is not such a
huge majority judged by voting patterns although tainted by voting
fraud. It cannot be more than 70%. And most of them will not dare take
to the streets against the other 30% that are fanatical Muslims.
Unless the amount of discontent reaches 90% of the population,
demonstrations will not have much effect. Iranian government should
realise this and allow for peaceful demonstrations. If Iranian
government were really Islamic and truly care for the people, peaceful
demonstrations will not affect its power and the Islamic Republic.
A cruel Islamic Republic will only taint the good name of Islam, just
as the Taliban had done. Citizens of the world will not support such a
Republic and this include a lot of justice minded Muslims. If Iran
really hate Israel, it should also treat its people well. Allow
peaceful demonstrations. It will not affect its power base. With its
revolutionary guards, the demonstrators will have no way of taking
over the government.
If excessive force were to be imposed on the demonstrators and
opposition, it will give Israel and USA a pretext to damage Iran. Iran
may not be easy to conquer but Israel and USA can just destroy its
infrastructure just as they had done to Serbia. It will cause
unnecessary hardship to the people of Iran, and thus reducing support
for the Islamic Republic until it reaches over 90%, at which time, no
matter how fanatical the REvolutionary guards, we should not
underestimate the fanaticism of people who suffer from hardship. Just
look at Egypt.
ANALYSIS
Obama cautious on Iran protests
Video
Obama calls out Iran on suppressing protests
During a news conference, President Barack Obama says the Middle East
should look to Egypt's example as a way to bring about change, rather
than Iran where people are beaten and gunned down for expressing
themselves. (Feb. 15)
» LAUNCH VIDEO PLAYER
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Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other
inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site.
Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by
someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will
take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards,
terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this
site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and
discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
By Scott Wilson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 15, 2011; 2:58 PM
President Obama addressed the Iranian demonstrations Tuesday with a
large measure of caution, calling on Iran's leaders to allow
protesters to express their grievances but stopping short of calling
for a change in government.
This Story
*
Obama urges Mideast allies to 'get out ahead' of protests,
denounces Iranian crackdown
*
Egypt economy awaits its lost tourists
*
Anti-government protests spread through Middle East
*
Palestinian cabinet resigns as Mideast turmoil spreads
*
Anti-government protests spread to Iran
*
Arab League leader says nations shouldn't fear revolts
*
Anti-government demonstrators clash with Yemeni president's
supporters in Sanaa
*
ANALYSIS: Obama cautious on Iran protests
View All Items in This Story
View Only Top Items in This Story
Obama's careful formulation, outlined during a morning news
conference, highlighted the sharp differences between the political
dynamic that his administration faces in Iran and the one that shaped
the recent revolt in Egypt. Obama faced a secular, allied government
in Egypt that had lost broad popular support. But in Iran he confronts
an Islamist regime hostile to American interests and eager to turn any
opposition movement into a proxy for the United States and Israel.
In the final days of Egypt's unrest, Obama aligned himself with the
demonstrators' demand for a new government. With Iran he has not been
so bold. His call Tuesday for Iran's Islamic government to allow
peaceful protest echoed the one he made after the opposition Green
Movement emerged on Tehran's streets in June 2009 following a disputed
presidential election, a response many conservatives criticized as
tepid.
"We were clear then and we are clear now that what has been true in
Egypt should be true in Iran - that people should be allowed to voice
their opinions and their grievances," Obama said. "What's been
different is the Iranian government's response."
Hours earlier in Iran, a day after anti-government demonstrators
defied a government ban on protests, hard-line lawmakers called for
the execution of three leading reformist and opposition figures, Mir
Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and former president Mohammad Khatami.
In his news conference, Obama continued to focus on the demonstrations
underway and not on his preferred outcome, a balance he also
maintained during the 18-day uprising in Egypt. Only in the final
stage did he align the United States with the demonstrators' call for
President Hosni Mubarak's immediate resignation.
Obama had more leverage in Egypt, where Mubarak had enjoyed American
support and billions in U.S. aid since emerging from the military
three decades ago to lead the country after his predecessor, Anwar
Sadat, was assassinated. There was no such support or funding in Iran,
where the 1979 revolution toppled the U.S.-backed shah and ushered in
an Islamist government hostile to most U.S. interests.
ad_icon
Click here!
Obama's caution stems from the same fear that appeared to guide his
response in June 2009: that a clear U.S. call for regime change in
Iran would allow President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to cast the protest
movement as a creation of Western governments and Israel.
"Each country is different, each country has its own traditions, and
America can't dictate what happens in these societies," Obama said,
adding that his administration would lend "moral support to those
seeking better lives."
Obama pointed to the lack of anti-American sentiment that appeared in
Tahrir Square during Egypt's uprising as evidence that allowing
demonstrators to take the lead - without instructions or goals
announced from Washington - was the correct course to take.
The administration is widely expected to follow the same path in Iran,
where the public is more likely to resist any American endorsement of
the protest movement than were Egyptians, whose country is one of only
two Arab nations that has a peace agreement with Israel.
Obama seems to be striking a more cautious note on Iran than his
secretary of state, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
On Monday, Clinton celebrated the Iranian demonstrations, saying that
she and others in the administration "very clearly and directly
support the aspirations" of the protesters, who advocate an end to
Iran's theocratic government.
Obama on Tuesday endorsed the Iranian demonstrators' right to protest
against their government without explicitly aligning the United States
with their goals.
"My hope and expectation is that we're going to continue to see the
people of Iran have the courage to be able to express their yearning
for greater freedoms and a more representative government,
understanding that America cannot ultimately dictate what happens
inside of Iran any more than it could inside of Egypt," he said.
Jewish Newspaper article mocking Israeli's support for Mubarak over Democracy
Haartz is a newsapaper in Israel. Israel officially supports Mubarak
and does not support any democracy movement in Egypt. I believe this
is true for the majority of Jews in Israel as well as supporters of
Israel in USA, the Republicans and allies.
It is nice to see dissentiving views in Israel. It shows democracy at
work in Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/only-someone-like-mubarak-could-defend-netanyahu-s-brand-of-democracy-1.343011
* Home
* Print Edition
* News
* Published 01:27 13.02.11
* Latest update 01:27 13.02.11
Only someone like Mubarak could defend Netanyahu's brand of democracy
Can only Israel enjoy its limited democracy? The exodus from Egypt,
from slavery to freedom, is for Hebrews only, not for Arabs.
By Yossi Sarid
Over the weekend, voices could still be heard in our country weeping
over Hosni Mubarak, taken from us after 30 years in power and yet too
soon.
Voices were still being heard mocking and criticizing U.S. President
Barack Obama, accusing him of ignorance and treachery. Israeli
television and radio were no comfort. "Fire on the Nile" they insisted
on calling the revolution in Egypt, although hardly a plume of smoke
was seen. The only fire burned in the hearts, and blessed is the match
that kindled it.
This was a civil uprising, one that did not suit the wild and violent
image we insist on ascribing to all Arabs and to all Muslims. If only
the square had been awash in blood, we would feel better. If only more
heavily bearded young men and veiled virgins had gathered, we would be
more sure of our predictions; if only Israeli flags had been burned in
the streets, we could frighten ourselves and the whole world, saying
we were right again.
If not for the desperate provocations of the regime in its last
moments, releasing horses and camels from its dark stables, this
beautiful revolution might have ended without a drop of bloodshed. But
people who did not predict the revolution beforehand will not
understand its thereafter.
Over the weekend, we heard once again that old saw: "It's the economy,
stupid." But it's not only the economy and not only unemployment; it's
the humiliation. It's difficult to live with the dead in a cemetery,
difficult to live on two dollars a day, but much more difficult not to
be able to speak out against the rulers or to vote to replace them.
It's the insult, stupid, of life in the garbage without hope; of
students who have no opportunities; of young people born in streets
with open sewers.
They see their leaders in their local Olympus, cut off from reality,
human beings who act like gods. It's the corruption, stupid, which
drove people crazy and out to the streets.
True, the situation in Israel does not resemble that in Egypt. Here we
don't get by on two dollars a day. But even here, desperate eyes watch
their leaders in their ostentatiousness, in their greediness.
Indeed, from time to time, they're "attentive to the feelings of the
public" but only because they have no feelings of their own. Our
leaders may not have Swiss bank accounts, but Israel's citizens call
them to account for their ethical failures and degeneration.
Meanwhile, the outgoing chief of staff continues in his round of
farewells. "In the Middle East stability is preferable to democracy,"
he told a graduation ceremony of senior commanders. Does one smell a
military coup in the air? Does that rule apply to all countries in the
region, or can only Israel enjoy its limited democracy? The exodus
from Egypt, from slavery to freedom, is for Hebrews only, not for
Arabs. What was so good about this deceptive "stability"? What did we
do with it all these years?
Did Benjamin Netanyahu not say that true peace can be forged only with
democracies? Was it not Natan Sharansky who wrote a book on that
theory, which George Bush praised? And now, all at once, it is only
with the Mubaraks that Israel can make and keep agreements, and let
the peoples go to hell.
Now Sharansky is being mentioned as Foreign Minister Avigdor
Lieberman's choice for United Nations ambassador.
By all means, send him there. Let him stand on an international
podium, and together with his colleagues from Saudi Arabia, Libya,
Algeria, Yemen and Iran, say, praise democracy in the name of
Netanyahu, Lieberman and Ehud Barak.
Finally, we fit in to this region.
More on this topic
* Israel supports democracy – except in the case of Egypt
* Egypt will maintain its peace treaty with Israel, military says
* Print Page
* Send to a friend
* Comments
* Share
* Text Size +|-
* Follow us on Twitter
* Become a Haaretz.com Facebook friend
Send to a friend
close
Recipient's e-mail
Your e-mail
Message
Send me a copy
Mandatory field alert.
Send to a friend
close
Your message has been sent.
This story is by:
* Yossi Sarid Yossi Sarid
and does not support any democracy movement in Egypt. I believe this
is true for the majority of Jews in Israel as well as supporters of
Israel in USA, the Republicans and allies.
It is nice to see dissentiving views in Israel. It shows democracy at
work in Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/only-someone-like-mubarak-could-defend-netanyahu-s-brand-of-democracy-1.343011
* Home
* Print Edition
* News
* Published 01:27 13.02.11
* Latest update 01:27 13.02.11
Only someone like Mubarak could defend Netanyahu's brand of democracy
Can only Israel enjoy its limited democracy? The exodus from Egypt,
from slavery to freedom, is for Hebrews only, not for Arabs.
By Yossi Sarid
Over the weekend, voices could still be heard in our country weeping
over Hosni Mubarak, taken from us after 30 years in power and yet too
soon.
Voices were still being heard mocking and criticizing U.S. President
Barack Obama, accusing him of ignorance and treachery. Israeli
television and radio were no comfort. "Fire on the Nile" they insisted
on calling the revolution in Egypt, although hardly a plume of smoke
was seen. The only fire burned in the hearts, and blessed is the match
that kindled it.
This was a civil uprising, one that did not suit the wild and violent
image we insist on ascribing to all Arabs and to all Muslims. If only
the square had been awash in blood, we would feel better. If only more
heavily bearded young men and veiled virgins had gathered, we would be
more sure of our predictions; if only Israeli flags had been burned in
the streets, we could frighten ourselves and the whole world, saying
we were right again.
If not for the desperate provocations of the regime in its last
moments, releasing horses and camels from its dark stables, this
beautiful revolution might have ended without a drop of bloodshed. But
people who did not predict the revolution beforehand will not
understand its thereafter.
Over the weekend, we heard once again that old saw: "It's the economy,
stupid." But it's not only the economy and not only unemployment; it's
the humiliation. It's difficult to live with the dead in a cemetery,
difficult to live on two dollars a day, but much more difficult not to
be able to speak out against the rulers or to vote to replace them.
It's the insult, stupid, of life in the garbage without hope; of
students who have no opportunities; of young people born in streets
with open sewers.
They see their leaders in their local Olympus, cut off from reality,
human beings who act like gods. It's the corruption, stupid, which
drove people crazy and out to the streets.
True, the situation in Israel does not resemble that in Egypt. Here we
don't get by on two dollars a day. But even here, desperate eyes watch
their leaders in their ostentatiousness, in their greediness.
Indeed, from time to time, they're "attentive to the feelings of the
public" but only because they have no feelings of their own. Our
leaders may not have Swiss bank accounts, but Israel's citizens call
them to account for their ethical failures and degeneration.
Meanwhile, the outgoing chief of staff continues in his round of
farewells. "In the Middle East stability is preferable to democracy,"
he told a graduation ceremony of senior commanders. Does one smell a
military coup in the air? Does that rule apply to all countries in the
region, or can only Israel enjoy its limited democracy? The exodus
from Egypt, from slavery to freedom, is for Hebrews only, not for
Arabs. What was so good about this deceptive "stability"? What did we
do with it all these years?
Did Benjamin Netanyahu not say that true peace can be forged only with
democracies? Was it not Natan Sharansky who wrote a book on that
theory, which George Bush praised? And now, all at once, it is only
with the Mubaraks that Israel can make and keep agreements, and let
the peoples go to hell.
Now Sharansky is being mentioned as Foreign Minister Avigdor
Lieberman's choice for United Nations ambassador.
By all means, send him there. Let him stand on an international
podium, and together with his colleagues from Saudi Arabia, Libya,
Algeria, Yemen and Iran, say, praise democracy in the name of
Netanyahu, Lieberman and Ehud Barak.
Finally, we fit in to this region.
* Israel supports democracy – except in the case of Egypt
* Egypt will maintain its peace treaty with Israel, military says
* Print Page
* Send to a friend
* Comments
* Share
* Text Size +|-
* Follow us on Twitter
* Become a Haaretz.com Facebook friend
Send to a friend
close
Recipient's e-mail
Your e-mail
Message
Send me a copy
Mandatory field alert.
Send to a friend
close
Your message has been sent.
This story is by:
* Yossi Sarid Yossi Sarid
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