MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Jessica

The Allman Brothers Band

A house in disorder does not offer hope

Thank God, Pakatan did not win GE13

Ong Kok Hin
Malaysian Insider
28 March 2015

Technically, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) did win the popular vote. But the fact remains that they did not form the federal government and that might be a blessing in disguise.

On May 5, 2013 (505), like many Malaysians, I wished there can be a change for a better Malaysia. “Ubah!” and “Ini, kali lah!” were the battle cries. 

Mega-rallies were held across major cities. 84.84% of eligible voters showed up, the highest in the history of Malaysian general elections.

Pemuda UMNO should shut up and solve taxi's legacy issues

Those who disagreed with cab fare increase had expressed their views.

Some claimed these taxi drivers are unworthy of help for being supportive of opposition. At one time, they support the government but had betrayed despite assistance from government.

There are those who felt our taxi drivers does not deserve the raise due to their poor service, disregard for regulations and rudeness. And many behave as or actually are gangsters.

Deep hiding behind their displeasure is their displeasure with the personality and past politics of Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar as SPAD Chairman.

What is ABIM and Ikram's position on hudud law by PAS?

The above image is circulating on the social media but a quick keyword "ABIM hudud" check on Google News reveals no such statement.

The most recent position by ABIM Prersident, Amida Abdul Manan on hudud was to demand Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah to be charged for the syariah crime of qazaf (accusing someone of committing zina  without proof) [Read MChronicle here].

If that does not tell you on which side ABIM is politically, see this Sinar Harian You Tube here.

Anyone with some insight into ABIM history knows they have moved from their positive engagement and change from inside stand [read Wikipedia here] to openly declare support for Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Hudud: Stepping away from Parliamentary tradition

There is this hypothesis going around that UMNO supported PAS's motion to amend the 1983-passed hudud law in return to form a unity government with the ulamak faction in PAS. At least that  is how PASMA, DAP and PKR politicians are going around arguing against the new hudud law passed on March 18th.

The reactions against UMNO Kelantan's support for hudud from BN component members and possibly UMNO MPs from Sabah have been negative. PAS have submitted a private bill at parliament for a constitutional amendment to allow hudud in Kelantan and for Muslims. Some felt that was a trap for Dato Najib and UMNO.

If UMNO does not support, that the Mahfuz Omars of the world will have a field day to say they are right to accuse UMNO's hudud support was intended to split Pakatan. But if UMNO do support, they will have retribution from other BN component parties and UMNO leaders from Sabah.

It looks like a "Damn if I do damn, Damn if I don't" situation for Najib. However, blogger Life of Annie have an idea [read here]. Why not let the MPs vote without applying any instruction from the Chief Whip?

Vote out of their own view and along the aspirations of their constituent. It will be an interesting and positive break from past tradition of voting based on party line and power politicking. A political transformation at the very essence of democratic practise at a time the population is sick with excessive politicking and demanding issues be dealt with as issues per se.

Crowning of the Sultan of Johor

Tuanku Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar was crowned as the fifth Sultan of modern Johor at the Istana Besar Monday yesterday.

Sultan Ibrahim represents a new generation of royalty able to break past tradition to mingle directly and casually with the rakyat, express his views openly on issues and able to engage the media. Few bloggers here and many others had the honour of discussing issues with his Majesty.

His Majesty ascended to the throne in 2010 but the coronation was postphoned till yesterday. For Johorean, it is the first royal coronation in 55 years since Almarhum Sultan Iskandar decided not to do a coronation.

Johor Baru will be filled with street parades, fireworks and four days of free concerts at Danga Bay to commemurate the event.

March 23rd have already officially been gazetted as Hari Keputeraan Sultan Johor public holiday to coincide with the official crowning of the Sultan of Johor to replace the November 22nd public holiday.

Airshow, Airlines and Apology

It's been awhile that this blog posted anything about airlines since Khazanah announced their yet another turnaround plan. Since there have been many development since, might as well write all the happenings together as to update.

Despite the two aircrashes during training by the Indonesian stunt team [read Rakyat Post here], LIMA 2015 began today. This is the first LIMA for Defense Minister, Dato Hishamuddin Hussein Onn.

He claimed this year's LIMA will be the best ever. [Read MMO here]. He is not kidding because Dato Najib repeated the same claim [read Bernama here].

Words are he has been flying UMNO Division Heads over to Pulau Langkawi. Maybe he is just being thoughtful to give Division Heads exposure on the biggest ever LIMA. It is an industry convention which serve to put all the players - military and civil, aviation and maritime - together.

Though Malaysia is not shopping, more than RM9 billion of deals inked. [Read NST here].