The Royal Rebuke: Comments and Pictures

Raja Nazrin stern eyes looking as he speak to Nizar and ever by his side puppetmaster, Ngeh Koo Ham

The NST report interspersed with comments and pictures of the royal rebuke incident, below:

Perak Regent admonishes Nizar to respect royal address

By M. Husairy Othman, Jaspal Singh and P. Chandra Sagaran

2009/05/07

After a chaotic morning and an equally confusing and tiring afternoon in the state assembly, Perak Regent Raja Dr Nazrin Shah was finally able to deliver his opening address — five hours after its scheduled time.

Raja Nazrin, the Raja Muda of Perak, was still not spared the peace to deliver his speech when, upon taking his seat with his wife Raja Puan Besar Tuanku Zara Salim, ousted menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin requested to raise an objection on the allegedly forceful and illegal means employed by the Barisan Nasional to remove speaker V. Sivakumar.

Raja Nazrin, who had been delayed since the morning by the disarray in the assembly, then asked Nizar and ousted senior exco Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham to approach him. They did their sembah and kissed the regent’s hand.



While Raja Nazrin took care to speak to them away from the microphone, his advice, which sounded more like an admonishment, was audible over the hall’s speakers.




The Raja Muda told the duo: “I don’t want to get involved in this. I just want to give my speech, so respect my speech, when I am giving it. You understand that? If you want to work with me in future, you have to respect my speech. Understand?

“So go and tell that (to the Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen who had stood together in front of the royal dais to take their seats).”

Note: His message may have been made known to many. Read here, here and here. There is also those around who could have heard. Please don't try to deny and spin, Nizar and Pakatan Rakyat supporters.

Nizar then told the PR state assemblymen to sit so that Raja Nazrin could deliver his opening address for the first meeting of the second session of the 12th state assembly.

However, just before Raja Nazrin could begin speaking, Nizar once again pointed out to the regent that there were unauthorised people present in the state assembly.

Nizar was referring to a group of more than 50 policemen who were earlier brought in at the request of the BN. Despite protests from PR state assemblymen, the policemen continued to remain in the House.

Note: Those police were brought in by the Speakers upon seeing that event have turned out of control and the Bentara was roughed and suffred injury (at his feet I believed). There is a provision in the Standing Order to empower the Speaker to bring in external security.


Notice the Pakatan Rakyat ADUN, particularly the PKR and DAP are standing in the centre. Whilst, the Barisan Nasional ADUNs are respectably seated in their seats.

Shortly afterwards, the police personnel, who had formed a barricade between the royal dais and the assembly floor to keep Pakatan members from approaching the royalty, left the assembly after Nizar made his request to the regent.

Note: The Menteri Besar delievering the speech to the Regent. It is a sign of acknowledgement of his position from the palace as a rightful Menteri Besar.

In his speech, the regent reminded the state government that the tourism and services sectors in the state could be affected by the uncertain global economic climate and the A (H1N1) influenza outbreak.

Note: Due respect HRH, there was an outbreak of a version of Swine flu called S1-N3 in the estemmed Assembly that day. Just a humour from blog Parpukari here.

“The state government is advised to take proactive measures to tackle the current concerns as well as prepare plans to achieve the Developed Perak 2015 agenda.

“The move by the state government to set up the Perak Economy Council is a good one. I believe that this consultative council, with economists, academics and industry experts as members, will be able to give rise to new ideas in the effort to confront the current economic crisis,” he said.

Raja Nazrin, who was originally due to give his opening address at 10am, also thanked the federal government for the RM10.05 billion development allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and RM297 million provided for Perak under the second economic stimulus package.

He said besides encouraging downstream activities and creating spillover effects, the state administration should implement programmes that had already been approved.

Note: The problem Zambery Government may have to face up is the imprudent over commitment made by Nizar the Ngeh-puppet Government's commitment to be populist. There were lining of pockets to DAP proxy businessmen. The list of such conpanies newly registered after March 8 2008 and RM2 companies allocated timber concession, state land and property development orders.

Raja Nazrin also welcomed the federal government’s two stimulus packages to pump-prime the economy, pointing out that big countries like the United States, China and Japan had similarly boosted spending against the worldwide recession.

Note: Respecfully, the Regent made it a business as usual affair and did not touched anything on the shameful fracas today by Pakatan Rakyat particularly DAP.

However, there is a meaningful quote by HRH: "The firm action taken by the authorities in enforcing the laws should be supported and the principle of the rule of law should be held dear."

Perak Assembly: Technology lost the day for Pakatan "Riot"

Sivakumar dumbfounded and helpless without private message from svengali Ngeh as Deputy Speaker initiate Assembly and throw him out

Forget the constitution, assembly procedure and standing orders, the game at the State Assembly today was lost to the private messaging (PM) system.

It was the PM system installed for the right side of the Speaker in the Assembly that wanted them to be placed there. With the PM system in the Assembly hall removed, then Speaker Sivakumar gila babi could not get a play-by-play instruction from his publicly despiced “svengali” Assemblyman, Dato Seri Ngeh Koo Ham. [Read this expose by blog RBF here]

Sivakumar was following the Pakatan Rakyat plan to play stubborn, refute and ignore the court order and standing order convention, and create sufficient chaos and disruption to stop the State Assembly from proceeding. This was obvious in Nizar’s press statement after the adjournment to refute the legality of the State Assembly.

Their plan was clear cut to disrupt the Assembly and have it null and void before the 13th. There would be then an automatic dissolution of the State Assembly and a statewide general election called. They believed they will come out victorious.

That is what lies behind their shallow cliché for returning power to the people. But realistically, the people only vote individual representative and not in appointing the Head of Government and Government. Whether the decision in voting is based on party or personality is subject to an endless never ending argument.

After the ceremonial watching of the guards by Pemangku Sultan, Raja Nazrin, Sivakumar was playing his instruction to the letter to refuse to commence the Assembly. He insisted that Menteri Besar Dr Zambery, 6 exco members, and 3 independents are suspended and thus, requested for their removals.

Sivakumar’s refusal to abide by the court order could be predicted by PAS lawyer, Hanipa Maidin’s lame opinion that the court decision is not an instruction and could be ignored.

The Assembly looks to be heading for a standstill with either side refusing to budge – Sivakumar refused to begin the Assembly meeting and 10 Barisan and Independent Assemblymen refused to leave the hall. There was a possibility that his Majesty may ended up being in the waiting room till midnight.

Then out of the blue, Deputy Speaker Hii came forward to take control of the Assembly and assume Speakership role. She ignored the jeering, irritating remarks and gestures, and near physical harassment by her former colleagues to initiate the Assembly’s proceeding.

Sivakumar was subsequently removed, Dato R Ganesan was voted as Speaker and Barisan Nasional took control of the Assembly.

For that moment, the Pakatan “Riot” could only create trouble and riotous gestures but was without an answer. Sivakumar was dumbfounded without any instruction coming in into the system from Ngeh and stand silent speechless without an intelligent response and argument to dispute.

By the time all motions particularly on the various important Committees and declaration on the illegality of "the meeting under the tree" were passed, the Pakatan "Riot" seemed to have turned dumb to go along to agree for a recess call by new Speaker Dato R Ganesan.

The unexpected “coup” by Hii stole away the attention and basically provided a basis for BN to buy another 6 months, sufficient for all matters in the courts to come to a decision. Is it legal? Go to the courts for resolution. They sure wouldn't mind if the courts favour them but not against them.

In the meanwhile, be ready with Pakatan Rakyat’s rhetoric on division of powers between judiciary, legislature, executive and constitutional monarchy. It is great in theory but seldom work in totality. After all, Nizar himself went through the courts for a legal redress. And, the decision on who would be Menteri Besar would be coming on Monday.

Throughout today’s episode and jungle animalistic act by the Pakatan Riotous politicians, one unknown hero will be technology.

SMSes to and from legal adviser and lawyers, Dato Shafee Abdullah and Dato Hafarizam with Menteri Besar Dato Dr Zambery and Senior Exco Dato Hamidah Osman must have really helped to time make Hii’s surprise move into a real surprise.

With Ganesan in the Speaker post, order begin to set in and the rest was a breeze despite the shouting, howling and hustling by Pakatan Riot ADUNs. Sivakumar and few ADUNs could not continue with their disrespectful ways and got thrown out with ease. The losing aggressor started to play victim drama. Lost are their misbehaviours.

By the time, HRH Raja Nazrin addressed the Assembly, all is lost on the Pakatan “Riot”. Nizar and his “elder brother”, Ngeh was disgracely disciplined in not so many words by the mere gesture of being called forward by HRH.

Technology, specifically the inavailability of the PM system it may have cost Pakatan "Riot". But, what could have happened should Deputy Speaker Hii was unable to break the deadlock? Let’s just be reminded merely the maxim majority should be in control and that is how the cookie should naturally crumble.

The expensive political cost to Pakatan Riot was well described by Zambery with the term tyranny of the minority. [Read MB’s press statement in full here.] They will have to think hard to spin and divert attention from their riotous misbehavior in and outside the Assembly which is clearly seen visibly and orally for the world and most importantly for the rakyat to see.

Now it will all depend on UMNO and the component parties of BN to take the necessary change and make themselves palatable to the rakyat. The lawyers, media, bloggers, technology etc. can only help so much. It depends on them now to win the mind, heart and heart of the people.

YB Khairy, aren't you listening or leaving?

RPK revealed his informer, but does such person exist?

Finally, Raja Petra revealed his 'reliably informed' source of information as Lt Kol Azmi Zainal Abidin. This Lt Col is the source of RPK's controversial Statutory Declaration which pinned the accusation on the murder of Altantunya to Rosmah.

According to his "reliably informed" source, Rosmah was present with allegedly a C4 expert then Lt Col Aziz Buyong and her ADC and wife to then Lt Col Aziz, Norhayati. Both have since made statutory declarations to deny such allegations, thus returning the burden of proof lies with Raja Petra.

In his latest No Holds Barred column entitled The Mystery of the Missing Confession here or here, RPK disclosed part of his interrogation with the Special Branch during his detention under ISA in September last year.

RPK revealed Lt Kol Azmi as number two man in the Special Branch of the Millitary Intelligence. He also claimed that his MCKK collegian, Dato Nik Azmi Nik Daud or popularly known as Bull encouraged him to do the Statutory Declaration based on this Lt Kol Azmi's information. Bull is a long time Tengku Razaleigh supporter.

RPK claimed he had asked another Ku Li staff, John Pang to double check with Ku Li of the reliability of Lt Kol Azmi. He requested the same from Din Merican with Anwar Ibrahim.

Another name revealed is Dato Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis or popularly known as JJ. RPK claimed to have met JJ at a stall of Jalan Ipoh and was offered money by him to stop implicating Altantunya with Najib. A 'friend' checked with JJ and he has denied meeting RPK after he has stop associating with Tun Mahathir.

Rocky had reported John Pang's denial. I could dig up for Din Merican's old business card and try to verify with him. So is in the case of Bull.

In summary, Lt Kol Aziz Buyong, Norhayati, John Pang, JJ, Monglian rep Syed Abdul Rahman and investigating officer (name forgotten) denied the revelations by RPK.

Balasundram could be a story for RPK to work on. But as far as the court is concern, he comitted perjury and his words have no value. Lets give this one person in favour if RPK.

We are left for confirmation from Niz Azmi, Din Merican, Ku Li and Anwar Ibrahim. If John Pang denied, I would expect the same with Nik Azmi and Ku Li. Din and Anwar has a tendency to do their "PKR thing". Readers either believe or not.

However, all these people's testament will not be as important as the most crucial person i.e. the Lt Kol Azmi claimed to be from the millitary outfit Anggota Tentera Cawangan Khas (ATCK).

My initial check with 'a friend' is that there is non-existence of a Lt Col Azmi. You are entitled to refute because I am not revealing my source. But I'll tell you why Lt Col Azmi may not exist. Simply because the person RPK claimed holding such post is a different person.

[I did not bother to ask the names of the position holders. Ignorance is bliss here. Or maybe I know the names?]

Is RPK still hiding his real source of information? Or he is fabricating a story? Or he had been duped into believing information supplied by a person claiming to be Lt Col Azmi?

I hope he is not doing any wayang becasue the life of two policemen's is at stake.

* Updated 9:20 am 6/5/09

Does it mean the Monarchy could seize control of Government?

Ever since the report on Sultan Perak's birthday celebration dinner on April 19th, 2009, there is a lingering question in my mind. Allow me first to quote HRH below:

"Peranan raja pemerintah adalah mengatasi apa yang tersurat dalam peruntukan perlembagaan. Raja pemerintah mempunyai tanggungjawab yang lebih luas dalam memastikan bahawa semangat perlembagaan, falsafah di sebalik setiap undang-undang yang tersurat, kepentingan negara dan warga negara perlu sentiasa dilindungi."

The mention of the term "raja pemerintah" as monarchy, the role beyond the written words of the constitution and the extended responsibility curiously relates back to the current political crisis in Perak.

Is the Monarchy sending a warning that they hold a trump card not known to many in the event democrasy failed? How will the Monarchy invoke their authority if situation in Perak deteriorate into a state of anarchy without regard to the constitution and the interest of the nation and citizens?

Before commenting further, this article taken from website Malaysia Aktif and written by Wahid Yunos attempted to interpret the speech of HRH below is a worthy read:

Why Sultan Azlan Shah is right about the Monarch's role within the constitution

After Sultan Azlan Shah, the Sultan of Perak and Former Lord President of Malaysia said that the power of the monarchy is not limited to what is written down by the constitution, many people have come up to say that the Sultan may have erred in his opinion.

I say that those who say that the Sultan has erred do not understand history and the constitutional monarchy.

A constitutional monarchy is a result of a King agreeing to divest some of their absolute power into either a piece of paper called a constitution or a system of government that is based on representative government or, better known as a democracy.

At some point in the history, the Monarch consented to delegate some of the powers of the state from the crown to the house of representative. The operative here is delegate.

The reality of any constitutional monarchy is that the absolute power of state is still invested in the Monarch and after every general election; he graciously agrees to delegate the powers to a Prime Minister. And he does it willingly.

At the point between the announcements of the official result of the General Election, the caretaker Prime Minister is no longer with authority and the new Prime Minister has yet to be appointed.

At this point in time the absolute power of the state is returned to the Crown and it agrees to redelegate it to the new Prime Minister.

This is not merely a formality; it is an important reminder to the country as to the source of the Government's power, the wellspring of its sovereignty.

It is important to note that the Agong or King is the commander in Chief of the military and this power is never delegated to anyone. You may argue that the monarch's role here is ceremonial but there is really nothing stopping him from assuming that responsibility and power in full. Since he is commander in chief, should an order come out from his mouth, all the officers from the chief of the armed forces downwards are obliged to follow; failure to execute his command is punishable as the failure to execute the command of any superior officer.

From this we know and should be reminded that the King and Malay Sultans are still the real source of power of the Federal and State Government, the fact that they delegate the power willingly means that their role in Government is more than just ceremonial, they agreed to delegate power to the people to fulfill the demands of the population and if they see that there is deterioration in the system, it is quite reasonable that they should play the supervisory role to stop the rot.

In a sense the democratic Government that we enjoy today exists with the consent of the Monarch and theoretically, he who gives consent can always take it back. With this in mind I think Sultan Azlan is correct in concluding that the powers of the Monarch is not limited by the mere words of the constitution.

The strong tone in HRH's birthday speech is a clear message that law and order must be adhered to with all the respective institutions and positions playing its role as accorded in the federal and state constitution and related laws.

In his speech, HRH touched on the three rights of the Monarchy. Firstly, the right to advise and give views. Secondly, the right to give support and encouragement. Thirdly, the right to give reminders and criticise. HRH went further to say that the Monarchy is not oblivion to the surrounding and is capable to hear, see and speak.

To the many casual observers of history, the 1874 Pangkor Treaty and many other treaties between the rulers and British is seen as the rulers relinquishing their power to the colonial invaders. Looking at it in another way, those treaties provide legitimacy and reaffirm the sovereign status of the Monarchy. It is an undisputed document of the Monarchy's legal claim on the nation.

According to Tan Sri Aziz Abdul Rahman in a Perkasa Seminar, the British were not colonial in the legal sense but administrator on behalf of the Sultan. In his view, independence and introduction of people rule was not gained from the British but accorded by the Monarchy.

Most seldom realised the tri-partite discussion between the Monarchy, British and subjects (led by the Malays) in the process of independence. It is not merely the Malayans seeking Independence from the British.

Will that mean power can be taken back in the event of breakdown in law and order? Could the Monarchy seize control of Government, when the basic covenant of this nation is breached? Can and how would the power of the Monarchy be executed?

The answers to these questions has not been conclusively answered. But it would make interesting discussion as we approach the reconvening of the Perak State Assembly on May 7th, 2009.

It could be a clue for some unexpected surprises if a solution is not reached by then. HRH Sultan Perak will be attending to address the session.

Tiga hari lagi bersidang, penyakit gila babi Sivakumar kembali

Persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri Perak akan diadakan pada Mei 7hb, dalam tiga hari lagi. Speaker Sivakumar Gila Babi sudah mula buat tabiat.

Gelaran gila babi ini kerana dia main sebarang dan suka hati dalam membuat tindakan dan keputusan tanpa mengambilkira samada ianya di bawah bidang kuasanya.

Beberapa hari lepas, isu media yang akan datang memberi liputan pun mahu dijadikan isu. Dia seolah-olah mahu mempersoalkan kuasa pihak yang lain dalam mengeluarkan pas media.

Kuasa Speaker di Perak memang muktamad tapi ianya hanya terhad kepada memastikan peraturan dan perjalanan dewan dipatuhi dan berjalan dengan baik. Speaker bukan ada kuasa untuk menentukan kerusi ADUN kosong atau memecat pekerja dewan yang tertakluk di bawah peraturan kakitangan awam atau penentu tarikh dewan bersidang.

Seekor little bird memberitahu Sivakumar sudah datang balik sawan gila babinya. Nasib baik sawan dan bukan demam babi. Kalau tidak, dia sudah pasti kena di quarantine dan tidak boleh hadir persidangan DUN. Pasti dia tidak mahu Timbalan Speaker Hii yang sudah menjadi penyokong BN ambilalih tugas.

Hari ini, Sivakumar memanggil Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri ke Jawatankuasa Privilage Dewan dengan niat untuk dipecat. Kesalahannya adalah menutup pintu gate dari dimasuki oleh ahli-ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Pakatan Rakyat semasa persidangan haram lepas.

Bila pula Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri ada kuasa memecat dan mendisiplinkan pegawai kerajaan? Gila babi, bak kata pemimpin PAS Ismail Kamus babi gila tidak macam begini.

Yang boleh memulakan prosiding terhadap pegawai sedemikian adalah Menteri Besar. Buat masa ini, Nizar bukan Menteri Besar. Sivakumar dan Dewan atau Jawatankausa Dewan ada kuasa elek dalam hal ehwal pentadbiran awam.

Speaker Sivakumar dikatakan telah menulis kepada DYMM Sultan Perak memohon ditangguhkan persidangan. Ini bermakna Sivakumar memperakui kuasa Sultan dalam memanggil dan mengisytiharkan persidangan Dewan.

Alasan tertulis Sivakumar Gila Babi ini adalah bagi mengelakkan pertelingkahan dalam dewan. Takut pulak nak bersidang. Maklumlah bila bersidang, dia hilang jawatan.

Yang jelas nak bertelingkah adalah orang Pakatan Rakyat yang telah mengajak orang ramai datang ke Ipoh untuk membatalkan mesyuarat. Ada sudah panggil hari itu sebagai Bastille Day seperti peristiwa pencerobohan terhadap penjara Bastille semasa French Revolution.

Tidak perlu nak bertelingkah. Pakatan Rakyat ada 28, tolak Speaker 1, jadi 27. Barisan Nasional ada 28 dan campur sokongan bebas, jadi 31. Kalau ada tambah 3 kepada BN, jadi 34-24. Nizar itu jurutera, tak akan tak tahu kira matematik.

Jelas lagi bersuloh, Barisan Nasional ada lebihan kerusi dan Speaker perlu berundur secara terhormat dari di buang oleh dewan. Cuma orang Gila Babi saja yang berhelah nak fault finding supaya dapat kekal. Gila talak yang tak sedia menerima hilang kuasa.

Citrawan dan Citramaya: Lebih sedap dan terhormat didengar

Dato Ruhanie teks saya semalam memberitahu mengenai posting terbarunya. Jika dia perlu teks saya mengenai posting terbaru, maka pasti ada perkara penting yang ingin disampaikan.

Semasa satu Majlis bersama Blogger baru-baru ini, Dato Dr Rais Yatim minta agar dicari atau direka satu istilah Melayu untuk blog dan blogger. Cabaran itu disahut oleh Dato Ron. Dia mencadangkan istilah Citrawan untuk blogger dan Citramaya untuk blog.

Pohon kita bincangkan.

Saya ini bukan pakar bahasa dan penguasaan bahasa pun tidak semana. Otak pula jenis condong ke kiri (left brainer) yang lebih kuantitatif dan cara saya berhujah pun agak matematikal. Susah saya hendak komen.

Bagi yang ingin memahami kenapa beliau memilih istilah itu, sila baca di sini.

Bagi saya, mudah saja. Sementara belum timbul istilah lain, istilah berasaskan perkataan citra itu lebih sedap bunyinya dari blog.

Bunyi blog hampir dengan perkataan Jawa goblog yang membawa maksud peringkat kebodohan yang lebih bodoh dari bodoh. Satu lagi perkataan Jawa gedoblog pun tak berapa sedap maksudnya. Agak kasar.

Blogger bukan lagi bodoh. Kebanyakkan ahli Parlimen, ADUN, Menteri, Menteri Besar dan Perdana Menteri mempunyai blog masing-masing. CEO syarikat pun ada blog sendiri. Banyak dari blogger adalah orang berpelajaran tinggi. Anak-anak muda yang buka blog pun adalah anak-anak yang mempunyai sikap positif.

Selama ini, kita terima pakai blog sebagai blog dan blogger sebagai pemblog atau jurublog atau blogawan. Bunyi pun agak kemproh atau kasar. Sebahagian istilah Melayu dan sebahagian istilah jargon IT bahasa Inggeris.

Kalau kita lihat kegiatan berkarya seperti menulis, bercerpen, bersajak, menyanyi, melukis dan lain-lain, semua sudah ada penambahan pe- untuk menggelarkan pelaku kegiatan berkarya. Istilah citra saja belum dicup orang. Baik kita cup cepat-cepat sebelum facebook atau twitter ambil.

Dari penerangan Dato Ron dari hasil kajiannya, maksud citra agak sesuai untuk kegiatan blog.

Saya yang tidak tahu ilmu bahasa hanya nak bunyinya sedap dan terhormat. Jangan main-main Perdana Menteri pun hormati buah fikiran citarawan dan lihat citramaya untuk tahu suara hati rakyat.

Bila kawan yang lama saya tidak jumpa tanya apa kamu buat? Saya kata saya seorang citrawan yang bercitra di citramaya. Kan sedap bunyinya? Ada sikit terhormat dan sikit bunyi romantis ala seorang karyawan.

Apa pula pendapat anda?

Anonymous are Pseudonyms and Pen Names from the past

This should be a short and last comment on the episode between Sakmongkol and me. Simply, because I hate discussing about blogging as a subject. It is so syiok sendiri of bloggers to write about the world they are in.

I rather be blogging instead.

Sak has brought down the pictures and I understand what that gesture means. I thank him for that. He understood what it means.

In his posting White Feather, I posted a comment to ask him to return to the issue of ground rules and he oblige with his latest posting here. I hope those nasty exchanges and challenges ends too. It is overstretching and truly unnecessary.

In his latest posting, Sak expressed his disgust with anonimity and believed that it could be open for abuse. His points have some validity which in his views it could be used to destroy people and institutions, and anonymous authors could avoid responsibility. For that, even known authors do abuse it.

But there are some of his repeated points, I have to answer. I do have to repeat certain points. I am sure he agree that jawab tetap jawab.

Where we differ

He cited Rashid as an example of how "the Voices and Bigdogs" can abuse their anonimity to run down Rashid from a lucrative job as Press Secretary to DPM. Since he mentioned "the Voices and Bigdogs", it could be misconstrued as him accusing me and Big Dog of abusing our anonimity on Rashid. I am sure he didn't mean that.

I hate to return back to the issue of Rashid but I have to clarify.

Big Dog is no more anonymous for quite some months now and in the relevant circle, nor am I totally anonymous neither. My picture exist in Jinggo's, right? Sak knows me. Most major bloggers know me. Rashid knows how to reach me. I know people who can lead me to him.

When I wrote about Rashid, the appointment was not formally announced. I based it on a posting by jouno-blogger Ashraf Abdullah. I gave my reservation similar to what most did when Najib announced his new cabinet. There is nothing unusual.

If I was accsued of destroying Rashid's career or putting "pasir dalam periok", then how about those demanding certain Ministers be removed from Cabinet. It is inconsequential really, just part and parcel of public life, public office, and high profile jobs.

Sak did not agree with me mentioning of security threat. He thought it was vicious. That is where we differ. As I see, Rashid's association with you-know-who makes him a security threat and the term could mean a whole lot of possibilities.

That is what I believe and I am entitled to my opinion. There are those who concur and relevant people agreed. Don't believe me becasue I am not telling who agreed.

To claim that bloggers like us are acting like judge and jury towards Rashid is an exageration. The prerogative is Muhyiddin and our voices is not significant to cause any change. It is indeed an insult to Muhyiddin's intelligence to be influenced by bloggers in his decisions.

But lets just leave it at that. This is where we difer, and no amount of explanation and elaboration by me or him will serve any purpose. That is what blogging is also. Agree to disagree.

Anonimity exist in the past

Whether we like it or not, anonymous bloggers or commentators will exist and continue to exist simply because blogspot.com and other blogging platform allows for it. There is not much we can do about it.

As much as Sak despised anonimity, he himself can't rid of anonymous commentators on his blogs. And, he himself can't avoid putting anonymous blogs on his blogrolls.

I seriously doubt the information from Sak of laws in France and US against anonimity is relevant. Simply because, I did post a comment under anonimity from Paris some years back. I did post an anonymous comment on an American blog with regard to Obama during the US Presidential campaign.

Not only we can't do much about anonimity, it is also nothing new. There are legal differences but it is an old practise.

Books were and still being published using pen names rather the author's real name. In cases where author's full name were published, the real author could be someone else.

And there are those letters to newspaper editors still being published using pseudonyms.

Furthermore, lets not limit the existence of anonymity to only "protecting whistleblowers or honest journalistic sources fearful of retaliation" but for commentators and bloggers, there are valid issues of privacy and personal reasons.

Dealing with Anonimity

How do we deal with the problem with anonimity on the Internet?

I have said it and Sak also agreed, the blog "market" will decide whether to buy their wares. If they have been selling defective goods, they will slowly lose their credibility and eventually perish.

As warning to blog readers, caveat emptor. Buyers beware.

However, for Sak to fear readers becoming heedlessly attracted to the sirens and end up shipwrecked on the shoals, that is an insult to readers intelligence.

Readers are not all stupid. They have their own experiance and encounters to judge what we wrote. And they can read back our past post to see our consistencies.

If I had been writing absolute crap, not that it really matters, I know I would not have any readers.

When readers don't "buy" what we wrote, many do dish back as commentators and dig our past comments to highlight our inconsistencies. If we censure their comments, they will leave our blog and rubbish us elsewhere.

All bloggers get a fair share of this experiance.

How do we deal with all these?

I have no answer. I guess we have to ride this learning curve of freedom.

When I studied in US, I saw how freedom of expression works. In the finality, rationality will prevail. I guess same here. Eventuality rationality will prevail. Wayang and lies will falter.

Nevertheless, if there is some kind of ground rules that is known, readers will be able to judge blogs by those stated ground rules. But to apply journalistic standard will not be appropriate.

Blogs are individuals expressing themselves and we can't stop them doing it technically. The way I see ground rules provide for readers a set of criteria to judge the blogs they are reading.

I am quite loose on this. As far as I see, jounalistic type of code of ethics will only stifle freedom of expression.

We need the citizen to express themselves more than to impose high standard of journalism ethics in the citizens' space to express themselves. Freedom of expression will check on corrupt public officials and politicians from abusing their positions.

For me, I look for that simple honesty. For instance, bloggers should be honest as to not pass off rumours or speculation or opinion as reported truth. Being courteous certainly helps.

Enough said. Nothing changes. I will be blogging as usual.

Watch this space tomorrow.