More on "Failure to Communicate"

There was some responses to our past posting, Santa Musa and "Failure to Communicate".

Just 'cause we corrected a mistake in interpretation due partly to ourselves and partly "failure to communicate", it doesn't mean we will release comments with nasty aspersions and bad languages.

That is no way to communicate. Do appreciate that we are usually man enough to give the right to reply and correct when we are wrong.

We should be lay to rest the performance-based share scheme issue of Sime Darby and the "Failure to Communicate", but yesterday, over lunch, and after dinner and a late night SMS, the subject kept coming back.

Over lunch, it relates to the AES. Over dinner, it an interesting experience on rural development. And finally, the SMS came from the most unexpected person to tell us that a Guns 'N Roses song had "Failure to Communicate" in the lyrics.

Santa Musa and “Failure to communicate”

In a scene in the 1967 film, Cool Hand Luke, the young prisoner, Luke (played by Paul Newman) had just carried our the order to put chains to his feet and got hit for a smart remark to the prison warden, Captain Strother Martin. Then, the memorable quote:

“What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach....”

This quote is seldom misquoted as “What we've have here is a failure to communicate” and that makes for some subtle difference.

In the context of the Santa Musa postings [here, here and here], it is all "water under the bridge." The ethical thing to do for bloggers is to correct any wrong and help to get the right message through.

Unless some parties, politician in particular, refuse to issue a denial, which we would gladly publish,  but resort to the unprofessional legal way to suppress media freedom, nothing can be done.

Goats can't be taught to moo.

Finding life’s resolution in chicken shacks

It is 11:00 AM, morning of the 12th of Dzulhijjah. It is the 2nd day of Tasyriq of 11,12 and 13 Dzulhijjah. 

Aidul Adha or Hari Raya Qurban falls on 10th of Dzulhijjah, last Friday.

In Mina, the just-arrived pilgrims did the stone throwing ritual at only the main Jamrah of Kubra and ended their ihram clothing and prohibitions. In the old days, the Jamrah are merely pillars but today, it is turned into wall structure complex to cater for the large crowd and better aim.

Subsequently, they chanted the same takbir raya we chant here. Alluhu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar. 

The pilgrims started the stone throwing ritual on the three Jamrah on these three days of Tasyriq. All these procedures we underwent last year is coming back in our mind on these long Aidil Adha weekend. It brings a sentimental feeling of longing for Mekah.

In our youth, the old folks would say Aidil Adha is Hari Raya for the Hajis or those that have peformed the Haj. Exactly one year later after our Haj last year and on Aidil Adha, that saying is real. Aidil Adha feel different this year.

Tanda Putera, first 'qurban' before Adil Adha

Tomorrow will be Adil Adha and most companies are letting their Muslim staff early today to allow the womenfolk to prepare for the celebration tomorrow.

Some folks from the East Coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu have started their arduous 'balik kampung' journey last night. More will leave today. The Aidil Adha celebration is more lively than Adil Fitri there.

Pilgrims in Mekah will begin their jam-packed journey from Arafah to Mina this evening. Tomorrow the first stone throwing ritual commence and they will be out of their ihram clothing. In Malaysia, we celebrate Adil Adha and perform the customary 'qurban'. 

The 'qurban' ritual could only begin after tomorrow's morning prayers at the Masjid. It is the symbolic sacrifice of four legged grazing animals like cow, buffalo or goat. Most of the meat is distributed to the poor and needy.

Although there was a sense of optimism from reading Tuesday's Malaysia Today, but that is the past now. Tanda Putera was already made the first sacrificial animal for this Haj season.

Haj begins in Mekah

Labbaikallah Humma Labbaik 
Labbaikallah Syarikalaka Labbaik 
Innalhamda Wannikmata Lakawalmulk la Syarikalak

O my Lord, here I am at Your service, here I am.
There is no partner with You, here I am.
Truly the praise and the provisions are Yours, and so is the dominion and sovereignty.

It is 5:30 PM Mekah time, some 20 minutes before Maghrib.

We had just called my uncle in Mekah. He thanked the package of serunding daging we sent through a cousin. At the moment, he was preparing to leave for Arafah to perform the wukuf.

Thus begins Haj.

Newsweek reminder for New Straits Times

Present and past of Newsweek one will never see anymore

On October 18th, Newsweek announced their last print edition for the December 31st issue. After 80 years, the US current affair magazine will only be available online.

In a joint statement from editor-in-chief Tina Brown and CEO Baba Shetty, they cited the reason to go digital as "not about the quality of the brand or the journalism" but economics.

"The challenging economics of print publishing and distribution" resulted in declining circulation and advertising, thus leading the second largest US news weekly magazine, behind Time into losses.

MARA, the property pushover

Money Always Run Away

There is an old sinister interpretation to the acronym MARA or Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).

They say then MARA means Money Always Run Away. Interestingly, the person that told of that interpretation actually ran away with commissions from contracts given out to Chinaman suppliers.

MARA is a purpose-incorporated Federal Government agency by a Parliament act to assist the development of Malays. It has been successful in many ways, especially education.

For instance, 54 MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) have been built and tens of thousands of Malays benefited in the various tertiary level financing programs, local and abroad. This and it's scholarship program have become feeder of Malay professionals to industries and institutions.

Unfortunately, as the interpretation say, MARA has been an organization where so many individuals took advantage of and made it a push-over.

MARA has and is acquiring properties and assets that it should not have interests in the first place and should not be in business.

Dear Santa Musa

Dear Santa Musa

We have read your message and the facts presented. [Read the details here.]

Your supposed clarification (via Leela Barrock) had served to elaborate facts we have simplified for our readers which you deemed as erroneous with respect to the EGM resolutions and decision making process of identifying grant recipient of the Proposed Scheme.

However, we like to believe we were not to far off since two of the resolutions was about approving the scheme for Dato Bakke and Nur Tania and naturally the scheme of arrangement have to be approved first.

By describing it as "free shares", we are not that far off too because the Ordinary Resolution 1 did mentioned below:

Right to reply for Santa Musa

Sime Darby issued a statement with regard to our posting yesterday, "What is Santa Musa up to?"

The Star reported on it today:

Sime denies blogs’ postings

PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd is refuting allegations on certain blogs that its proposed long-term incentive plan would only benefit two individuals.

In a statement, the conglomerate said it took a serious view of these baseless accusations and the inferences therein and will take appropriate action to protect the reputation of the organisation.

“The two blogs and the comments posted have caused embarrassment to the chairman, board of directors and senior management of Sime Darby.

What is Santa Musa up to?

It is still October but Santa Musa has already start dishing out presents. The only problem is it is not to the more than 110,000 Sime Darby Berhad staff worldwide.

Only two seemed to deserve Santa Musa's Christmas present; namely, President and Group CEO, Dato Seri Mohamed Bakee Mohd Salleh and Nur Tania bte Dato Yusof, one daughter of a  member of the Board of Director of Sime Darby.

Our source in Sime Darby, who work there for more than 25 years, have never heard of Nur Tania.

Almost everyone in the corporate world is aghast with such generous package given to only two persons who are practically new in Sime Darby and cannot be single-handedly be attributed for Sime Darby's returning to it's expected level of profitability from the debacle of 2010.

What is the politically conniving weasel Chairman of the last few years trying to do?

AES: Election or not, governing must go on

The uncertainty pertaining to the general election is making not only politicians and political observers restless, but in general, Malaysian from all walk of life too.

Public servants have to wait out the election to know who the next government and Minister will be before implementing their planned programs. New brooms have a tendency to tamper or change their plans.

The election is often used as excuse to postphone Minister's preferred program that they are reluctant to do.

These delays are not good for the public and economy. At times, programs beneficial for the public is delayed to await political developments. This got to stop.

Programs that help to reduce accident like the Automated Enforcement System (AES) should not be delayed. In the first place, process of governing should continue election or not till they end their office. The last the government should do is succumb to pressure purely on political reasons.

Raining krises and spears

The Chairman of the Election Commission (EC), Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof was initially reluctant to the idea of overseas voting.

Tsn Sri said it is operationally difficult to put together the electoral roll. He maybe thinking that this anarchist Bersih will use it as an excuse to point finger at EC for possible electoral discrepencies arising.

After repeated Bersih demos and now concert, which not that many attended anyway, he seemed to have changed his mind. However, he still said it require time before it can be implemented. The civil servant in him is always cautious and careful.

While it is enshrined in the constitution that every citizen have a right to vote, questions with regard to the operational issue need to be addressed.

How will the overseas voting system be implemented? Since they do not live here, it means they do not have a local address. Then, who can they claim to represent them?

Tony F's got dysfunctional problem

Tony F covering up his inability

Before this, nobody knew.

It takes the latest development from Air Asia to confirm that Tony F's problem is not penetration. Tony F pulled out of a signed understanding because he had dysfunctional problem.

All the while, he was covering up for his dysfunctional 'brother' by having regular photo op with his sexy stewardesses in red short skirts.

Is Kit Siang senile too, Tony Pua? (Part 3 - Final)

Silence or senile? 

One would have thought senility creeps in slowly into someone at old age. It doesn't happen suddenly. They can't turn from proficient to senile silence in 3-4 months.

Raja Petra wrote an article "When the shoe fits" dated June 4th with regard to a forum in Penang the day before discussing about Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) foreign exchange losses. Lim Kit Siang was there and he spoke. He can't be senile yet, can he?

The star of the forum, one former Deputy Governor of BNM, so claimed RPK, said the loss was RM30 billion. [Read it here.]

RPK questioned why they were not transparent to the audience to declare the star, Dr Rosli Yaacob is a PAS leader from Negeri Sembilan. By holding that information, it create a false impression that he is an independent expert.

On the same note, RPK should correct himself too. Dr Rosli is not a Deputy Governor but only a Deputy or perhaps was then called Assistant Manager. With that title, it doesn't make him an expert.

Is Kit Siang senile too, Tony Pua? (Part 2)

This blog will not hold back our resentment and demand for the resignation or dismissal of Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop from cabinet.

He is corrupt and practise nepotism extensively, destructive in his management of GLCs and policy formulation, and an outright law breaker.

It does not matter that he is the Division Head for Tasek Gelugor. He is bad news and should not be a "winnable" candidate of BN. After all, he got that seat by dishonouring a gentleman's agreement with Dato Sharif Omar who gave way the MP seat for him.

However, Nor Mohamed, the Minister today is not the same person as Nor Mohamed the Foreign Exchange Trader.

He may have made a loss that deserve a place in the Guiness Book of Worlds Record and any book on financial scandals, but he was a dedicated man, works hard and smart, and honourable. How he plays poker then was a reflection of him as a gentleman.

Is Kit Siang senile too, Tony Pua?

Tony Pua and his senile (?) boss

Of late, the labelling of senility cropped up in the midst of the issues surrounding SUARAM and George Soros and the old foreign exchange loss. Old folks facing senility exhibit lost of cognitive ability like memory.

Tony Pua called Tun Dr Mahathir irrelevant and senile. Kurang ajar betul!

But the Pakatan media, Malaysiakini still insist on asking the allegedly senile former Prime Minister on past issues relating to foreign exchange trading losses to help Anwar deflect the responsibility from him.

Quietly in the midst is Lim Kit Siang, the veteran opposition MP from DAP that actively took up the foreign exchange loss against Anwar in the past.

Why the silence from Kit Siang, Tony Pua? Is he senile too?

No trial means no trial, stupid!

With the speed of lightning, SUARAM through Tian Chua's Malaysia Chronicle responded supposedly using their French lawyer, William Bourdon to disclaim report of French leading prosecutor, Yves Charpenel claim there is no trail.

However, his disclaimer does not dispute what was said by Charpenel.  He was merely saying the two investigators called "investigation judges" in France, Roger Le Loire and Serge Tournaire are still investigating and no trial announced yet.

No trial means no trial laa. Only when there is a charge, then one can say here is a case. Not all investigation turn out to have a case and charges made. Especially not for bonafide project management and logistic service provided by Perimekar.

Bloody liars! Stupid!

Still ... Chamil lied and betrayed

Since our last posting on Dato Chamil Wariya's apology to Theresa, he had clarified his position with Rockybru. His right to reply was duly given. [Read Rocky Bru's update here.]

Does it mean the issue against Chamil has ended and he is allowed to lie low?

Firstly, let's not confused this and the previous posting with the issues surrounding Theresa Kok. She is hardly an issue here. It is about Chamil's conduct.

To answer the question, it is not over. Chamil lied to Rocky.

He should clarify whether or not he negotiated and agreed behind his co-defendent, Utusan Malaysia's back. But it is Utusan Malaysia that end up paying Theresa's RM50,000 cost?

Someone believed Utusan also absorbed Chamil's legal cost.

Chamil, betrayal and plagiarism

Sometimes journalist can be wrong and when sued, they seek settlement. That was what happenned to veteran journalist Datuk Chamil Wariya.

At first, we do not see any big deal with Bigdog's call for his resignation from the Malaysian Press Institute (NPI). [Read here.]

After being told of what happened behind the scene during the time his controversial article, "Politik baru YB J" for Utusan Malaysia in 2008 and the pre- and post-event to his settlement with Theresa Kok, Bigdog's call is justified. [Read also Rockybru's here.] .

This act shows that this man has no honour and undeserving to head that institute. The way The Malay Mail reported the Chamil settlement shows that ethics in journalism has languished under his leadership.

Strange turns at PKFZ trial

The trial against former Transport Minister, Tun Ling Leong Sik commenced for quite sometime without much getting attention. It is at stage where the defendant have to put up their defense.

Whether it is because mainstream, particularly The Star did not give much coverage or nothing sensational was happening in the trial delayed due to Tun Ling's sickness. Like it or not, sensation sells and newspapers are still a business enterprise.

Defense is calling three Prime Ministers to the stand as witness. Today, Tun Dr Mahathir is expected to be on the stand. More drama will ensue and the trial will get more attention from hereon.

Before a case was made out on the dubbed Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, some aspect of the issue may have been spinned out of proportion by opposition. It turned us off from tracking this case. As usual, the public innocently took every words of the opposition hook, line and sinker.

However, as the defense is making their case, many aspect of the case seemed to take strange turns.

But we are no lawyer.

Khairy can’t shed his neo-liberal self

Neoliberalism is the new colonisation

These days, neo-liberal is the often used term to generally condemn proponents of economic liberalisation policies.

They believe that the way to progress forward is unhindered free trade and open market, belief in economic efficiency through market economy, no government involvement in economy, absolutely no subsidy, no such thing as affirmative action or any form of socio-economic assistance, etc.

To understand all this, spell N E O – C O L O N I S A T I O N .

And it is unbridled capitalism without any sense of morality but the greed of owners of capital.

Reading The Star report today of Khairy’s latest infrequent public appearance, it seems Khairy had not learn anything during his sabatical from public life and ‘public office.’

Experience of a Cancer Survivor

A friend e-mailed us this you tube testimonial of a friend, Masjuita Hamzah experience with breast cancer.

Some months back we attended her children's wedding without knowing of her health condition. It had been a while since we had any get-to-gather with her.

She is one strong woman who had faced many personal and professional challenges. We remembered this professional architect is also an accomplish painter and held an exhibition in Kuala Lumpur decades ago.

She underwent an alternative therapy and the ordeal she went through is worth sharing.

She must have intended to have this You Tube be known to others and help others. We are only giving a helping hand.

Shadow cabinet: Utusan Malaysia's frontpage boo boo

When we received an e-mail of the PKR proposed shadow cabinet, we were having tea with a friend from Utusan Malaysia.

All of us laughed at the idea of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim becoming Prime Minister.

Immediatey, we called a PAS friend to tell him that Anwar is the shadow Prime Minister and Dato Seri Hadi is Deputy Prime Minister I.

Again we laughed.

Thus it is unbelievable for Utusan to give frontpage coverage to Papagomo's posting. Page 3 or 4 can lah .... but not frontpage. [Read Papagomo here.]

In Selangor, the headless calling the other headless

In Husin Lempoyang's posting here, he insinuated Azmin Ali as a pot calling the kettle black and did not look at himself in the mirror enough.

The UMNO's offer for Menteri Besar candidate is a common political talk in Selangor.

Till to-date,  Barisan Nasional and UMNO has not brought any face forward. The speculation goes on that there is no candidate from the present crop of UMNO leaders in Selangor that is without any issues or controversies.

Azmin took a potshot to spin a remark that UMNO is not offering a candidate because UMNO is do deep-rooted in moral issue that it is devoid of leaders with moral value.

Wakakaka ... look whose talking of morality?

How will Anwar balance RM205.6 billion deficit with RM8.43 billion saving?

It is the time of the year where everyone claim to know economics. If they never knew or studied economics, they still want to have their say.

In the case when there is nothing worthwhile to say or criticise, some yokos like Malaysiakini's commentators resort to making a big deal out of the absence of the Prime Minister during the debate. [Read Malaysiakini here.]

Our matter is made more confusing when even a Malay Studies flunkie wants to propose his own Budget and stood up in Parliament claiming he can do better than the Prime Minister.

It does not matter to them that their Budget have flaws in numbers, thus making the whole document irrelevant. It does not matter that they are deceiving the public by having many inconsistencies with their past proposed policies in the Buku Jingga.

What matters is there are sufficient simpleton voters they can tricked into believing that they are capable of taking over and govern because they manage to produce that piece of crap.

A speech Anwar dare not deliver

Human rights need to be guaranteed by taking into account the cultural and historical sensitivities of a society. Nevertheless, it should also be applied without selectivity or discrimination. Why is that when we discriminate against gender, it is called sexism; when African Americans are criticized and vilified, it is called racism; when the same is done to the Jews, people call it Anti-Semitism, and laws are legislated to prosecute the perpetrators. But why is it when Muslims are stigmatized and defamed, it is defended as ‘freedom of expression’?

In the course of our conversation with an old school chum at a friend's daughter's wedding last Sunday, the subject of getting a professional diplomat to fill the position of Foreign Minister came up.

This country have had former Wisma Putera Director General entered politics and became a Foreign Minister. Professional Central Bankers, University VCs, and religous administrators brought in to fill-up Ministerial positions. There have been Government high officials filling up Ambassadorial positions with Ministerial statuis in the past.

What's stopping such appointment in the event no UMNO politicians could fill up such post, my friend argued. After all, the British sitcom, Yes Prime Minister ridiculed the Foreign Secretary as the last to know about Foreign Office. In addition, they only get their news on foreign affairs from the BBC than from their daily briefings.

Perhaps, not for a while with the current Foreign Minister capable of delivering  such Mahathirite quote above. Only politicians dare say such strong words without holding back.

Pertinent question for MAS on it's 40 anniversary

Today is MAS 40th Anniversary.To reflect back on it's past 40 years, do read history and aviation buff Bigdog's latest posting here.

There is a saying that life begins 40.

At that age, one is supposed to have reached some level of maturity, knowledg-ability and experienced. But most important, the age 40 is the usual age most men acquire a sense of responsibility.

Known to Muslim, Prophet Muhammad received the holy message at 40. Before the revelation came, he spent time doing deep reflection and contemplation on life, the world, his existence, God, etc..

MAS is not human. It is a company. But since it is being steered by human, it is perhaps as good as any time on it's 40th anniversary to ask the pertinent question of what does it want to be.