For Nat-Sake! He's Out, But Jo B's Still Goggling!

Nat was released yesterday Tuesday July 17th, 2007 from the Bukit Perdana Government Complex (behind Bank Negara Malaysia) down to the wire just after the 4:30 pm dateline.

My presence there was to show support for another blogger as per my blog posting "For Nat-sake! Its About Blogger Solidarity". I SMS Rocky to break the news here and watch from afar, not to be in the line of "photo" crossfire. Don't wanna be caught dead in a pix with Tian Chua. Its more respectable to be photographed with my pant down and pecker erect!

Nat's laptop and handphone is still being held by the police. That means he is still under investigation and not off the hook. Believe he is due to appear in court, but I am not sure of the purpose/(s).

Nat seems defiant and insist the police have nothing against him. My source tells me the police were still "goggling" or netspeak for searching. As one who like to trust the integrity of the police, I find this disturbing. Why would police held someone when they have no clear idea what they are looking for? This is not the police that I like to know off.

Nat's detention coincided with the Attorney General's announcement of Dato Johari Baharum (Jo B)'s innocence from the alleged corruption involving three gangsters as posted in one freeweb site here. One commentator placed on Nat's Jelas blog another freeweb link of similar information but better presented. That was widely believed to be the source of Nat's trouble. Some suspect the commentator and second link as planted for Nat had moderated the comment but allowed the link. Heck what me worry! That second link is here.

Theer is serious doubt it has anything to do with the doctored picture of Dato Seri Najib, Abdul Razak Baginda, and the late U-Nee (to represent the late Altantunya) together on a dinner table. Najib is smart enough not to react to such provocation as to detain anyone on such frivolous basis. Only a no brainer like perhaps Jo B would do such thing, but not Dato' Najib. Najib will not want to create a new matyr for the PKR. This a real bodoh act!

This incident begs several questions:

1. Did Jo B as per the Bernama report "Police Asked To Investigate Websites Spreading Lies" actually instruct CID over the Police Chief, Tan Sri Musa Hasan? Incidently, he had earlier made report to initiate investigation on alleged corruption by the Police Chief. Tan Sri is not suspended by the Minister and he is still in charge. In case, Jo B care to read the law books, there is no legal power accorded to any Deputy Minister. Most Deputy's role is to assist the Minister and oftenly it is public relation work.

2. Why did the police entertain such request from the Minister? Were they pressured to do so from the Deputy Minister or others higher up, most likely the Minister himself i.e. Prime Minister?

3. If the claim that the police was still "goggling", that would mean Jo B has committed an offense to instruct the arrest under OSA when he is unauthorised to do so under the law. In addition, he has put the police in an embarassing situation to detain someone without a clear idea of the offense.

4. Jo B's remark represent a threat to bloggers. Isn't wild accusation and threatening any law abiding citizen an offense?

Jo B replaced Dato Nor Omar, who was transfered as Deputy Minister of Education, for this post. But he will always be remembered as the Tun Dr Mahathir's former Secretary and Kubang Pasu UMNO man, who back stabbed his own former boss to deny Tun from being elected as delegate for Kubang Pasu for the 2006 UMNO General Assembly. The case was only recently dismissed by the Jawatankuasa Disiplin UMNO and announced by Dato Najib weeks earlier.

The website allegation has tattered Jo B's already bad reputation. While he seemed to remain in control at the UMNO Kubang Pasu Division, the unhappiness and disrespect for his act at the ground is widespread. No crying act can absolved him. There is widespread resentment on the ground towards him and and submitting him as UMNO candidate for Kubang Pasu MP will likely be handing PAS an MP seat on a silver plate.

Nat's detention is believed by some circle as Jo B's act to salvage his MP and Deputy Ministerial post. It is clearly bodeking in action as he support the current flavour, which is relevant to him. That would be to assist Dato Azalina's more-noise-than-substance cyberwar. If Pak Lah has any functioning neurons, do realise that anyone willing to backstab the person that gave him this cikgu sekolah biasa the break in politics are human with no integrity and loyalty to anything. Will he be loyal to you, Pak Lah? Really, he is not worthy.

Nat's detention raised the ability of current UMNO's so-called cyberwarrior to engage mentally, intellectual discourse and information (penerangan) role. Raja Petra is hardly heeding Dato Azalina's warning as come forward to say, "OK Let's Rumble". If engaging in cyberwar is to resort to OSA, please stop. It is making a mockery of UMNO. Get the cyberwarriors to go for the tutorials here and here from veteran cyberwarrior, Cuit Sikit.

Lets not make UMNO lose credibility in the face of the opposition with these cheap character assasinators. In these sensitive times with Pak Lah in the midst of crisis of confidence, aggression and intimidation will cost UMNO dearly votes away from the common people. In the last general election, the arrest of BSA Tahir under ISA to save Kamaluddin, could be unnoticed. Not now!

I'm just glad Nat is OK. How about leaving PKR and FFF for some truly humanitarian work, Nat? :-) ... Just trying ....

For Nat-sake, Its About Blogger Solidarity!

Nat was detained by police! Who is he?

I make no bone to state my opposition for Nat’s political party. I will not mince my words to express my distrust of the Foundation for Future, which Nat is its secretary. I call the doctored picture of Dato Seri Najib posted by Tian Chua and allegedly created by Nat as distasteful and childish.

But on this detention, I am putting aside politics – party, gimmick and Anwar Ibrahim! There is plenty of other time for it. I am just a blogger concerned for another blogger.

Li Tsin announced the court decision to give police detention under remand order till Tuesday for investigation on cyber crimes under Section 8 of the OSA.

Elizabeth Wong, described some 6 hours of dissappearance, prior to surfacing at IPD Dang Wangi. Howsy made lots of other fishy observations. Nuraina Samad is alarmed and asking whats next?

Zorro felt its intimidation. Sivarasa called it an act of oppression. Ktemoc called it draconian intimidation. Mahaguru58 thinks he is caught in between. Anwar Ibrahim wants to spin it to politics and the approaching general election. Many others have and continue to say.

Rocky wants bloggers to stand their ground and relate the first OSA case of Sabry Sharif. Malik Imtiaz claims the OSA is unconstitutional and in conflict with certain aspect of the constitution.

I want to believe the police have dutifully undertaken their job in accordance with the regulations and proper due process of law. I want to believe his detention has legitimate reasons and basis for investigation, not for anything else. I want to believe he will be freed immediately, if there is no more basis to detain him further.

I want to believe the police reputation and integrity remain intact, the system is running well, and the various suspicions and allegations on them as untrue, for I am sympathetic to the police and oppose IPCMC.

Nat, you are a nice person and I hope you are alright! Li Tsin, Cheryl and Nat's parents, I sympathise with what you are going through.

Rocky, Jeff, and All Blog, I will stand in solidarity. For ... its about compassion for another! Its about bloggers solidarity!

Bobjot suggest ways to support. Put up Mob's poster. Write to authrities. Sign a petition. Attend candle vigil.

We do whats necessary. And, police do their's. No one should be victimised. Peace and security should not ever be compromised.

MAS is Burning, Butcher From Shell Is Fiddling

After the "MAS Flight Delays: Idris Jala Lied" posting yesterday and Rocky's "MAS vs AirAsia" breaking news today, an SMS updated me that the flight delays is running into 20 a day and not 30-40 delays for the past 2 weeks. The truth is out there but lets read NST Monday July 16th report below:

Fury after being kicked off flights

SEPANG: The mood was ugly at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday. Hundreds of passengers were stranded and some, facing delays, were furious when informed that their Malaysia Airlines flights were overbooked.

Perth-bound MAS passenger Darren Woon, 25, was upset when told his flight was full.

He claimed a MAS employee said it was overbooked by 50 people.

"I can understand if it’s just five people ahead of me, but 50?

"They didn’t even make an effort to contact us. They merely waited for us to turn up, then tell us the bad news.

"This is so unprofessional."

Woon claimed he was supposed to be at work today in Perth.

Foo Ee Lin, 26, who was sending off her 17-year-old sister to Melbourne on a MAS flight, was outraged when told that the flight was overbooked by 60 passengers.

"I’ve been flying to Melbourne for the past six years but this is my worst experience."

She said MAS should have called as her sister’s seat was confirmed. "My sister is having her exam (today), if she misses it, how does MAS plan to compensate?"

Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that on-time departures had fallen below the airline’s record of above 80 per cent of flights.

Productivity fell as many employees were reportedly unhappy after the management carried out a performance appraisal using a system which they said they were only trying out.

They were also disappointed about their performance bonuses, share options and a recent one-off payment.

MAS human resource senior general manager Effendi Abdul Rahman yesterday issued a statement saying that under the mutual separation scheme last year, 2,622 employees left the company, and not 20,000 as reported.

This year, he said manpower may be reduced by 700.

Sources at the KLIA claimed MAS employees were on a so-called "silent strike". Because of this, they said many international and domestic flights were delayed, including those to Perth, Melbourne, Auckland, Penang, Johor Baru and Kota Kinabalu.

Look! Everyone knows about it. Does Idris Jala have a "Zaki Zahid and Vincent Lim" on the staff insulating information from him? He needs to get his bony ass up and start doing a walk-a-bout to see himself the situation!

In a crisis situation, communication is an essential of crisis management. Why is Idris Jala's SGM "merepek" about spending RM200 million on ticketing system and a saving of RM70 million a year with grumpy customers having to queue and wait from the delays? Read NST Monday July 16th report below:

Malaysia Airlines to invest RM200 mil in electronic ticketing

SEPANG, MON: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is investing RM200 million within the next three years to upgrade its passenger services system, providing customer with the option of completing all booking, ticketing and check-in transactions from their home or office.

By September this year, the airline will be electronic ticketing (e-Ticketing)-capable, providing customers with the ease of printing their own tickets and option of making changes to their travel itinerary themselves, thus doing away with visits to the ticketing offices or travel agents.

“Check-in will also be easier as passengers will just have to show their e-ticket number as a form of identification. There will be no more problems associated with misplaced, damaged or forgotten tickets,” said MAS senior general manager, transition management, Dr Amin Khan.

Speaking at a media briefing here today, he said once the eTicketing process was completed, there will be a cost savings of RM20 per ticket with physical tickets no longer needed. This will translate into savings of up to RM70 million annually for the airline, he added.

About indication on the aerobridge story, it seems that MAS has issued a statement published on The Star Saturday July 14.

Aerobridge slips, damaging plane door

SEPANG: An unmanned aerobridge, which was docked to an aircraft, caused damage to the aircraft door when it suddenly shifted downwards at KLIA here on Tuesday.

A statement from Malaysia Airlines (MAS) said that no passengers were involved in the incident. The cause has yet to be ascertained.

“The aircraft for flight MH378 was scheduled to depart from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, but no passengers were using the aerobridge during the incident,” it
said.

“All the passengers bound for the flight were then in the holding lounge and were transferred to another aircraft to depart for their destination at 10.40am,” read the statement.

With the aircraft door damaged, the earlier posted remark "a standby aerobridge should be readily available or passengers redirected for their boarding with the least time delay" is inaccurate. What begs an answer now is how could an aerobridge be unmanned? Was it moving on its own? Aerobridge are people operated and the last thing you'd want in your organisation are annoyed ground handling personnel.

The Butcher from Shell needs to understand the nature of airline industry. This is a highly regulated industry with a standard of no tolerance, and many check and double checks. The staff is constrained by the many and types of regulatory requirements set by many International bodies to abide to ALL aspect of its operations.

If a bus stalled in the middle of the highway, it could pullover and wait for help. Should a distillate plant not working well, production could be stopped and problem fixed, if technically possible. Aircraft can't pullover and stop engine at 20,000 feet.

The safety feature and extra precautions is beyond any other industries, such that it is safer flying than riding a bus. The exception would be Dato Chan Kong Choy's favourite Airline, where pinching penny from every nook is a priority and emergency landing three times a year at Kota Kinabalu is a typical day-to-day affair.

Such are the standard to be met that the work environment in an airline is highly stressful. Staff can be penalised for the slightest of mistake. The repair for the aerobridge bust up with the aircraft door could run into hundreds of thousand and staff DI-ed. As a result, the airline industry is highly unionised and this arised out of the need to protect workers.

With such a tense and pressured work life, the last thing MAS needs is to have a "Best Money Can Buy" Butcher as CEO that failed in turning around the operation, merely doing sacking and asset sales, and bias ESOS for himself and his team, before the whole thing crash and burn.

These staff have long memories when lied upon. They have been through a long journey, gave their support, and made much sacrifices, since Tan Sri Aziz Abdul Rahman left. Idris Jala should have emulated Tan Sri Mohd Nor Yusof's open approach to communicate by updating and regularly briefing the staff to get their support. Tan Sri Mohd Nor promised no retrenchment. And, they are aware of the crap involving AirAsia and their seconded novice parked into management position in MAS over the more conversant MAS Managers are affecting the whole organisation.

Without a trusting and motivated staff to support, Idris Jala will never achieve the turnaround in this highly unionised industry. That, Idris Jala can personally guarantee Pak Lah and not the 6 quarters of continuous profit. Perhaps, this is all PMS or actually is Pre-Meditated Sacking meant to merge with the financially constrained AirAsia.

MAS Flight Delays: Idris Jala Lied!

The recent Special ESOS that instantly enriched few novice and non airline-experianced management, at the expense of hardworking and diligent MAS staff, has taken its toll. The workforce obviously demotivated by the biased share allocation has reluct from the companies taglined “beyond expectation” service and a spate of flight delays are happening daily.

In the Sunday Times today, Datuk Idris Jala denied it is due to demotivated staff and attempt to attribute the delays to technical reasons. Yet, the bulk of the statement is addressing problems arising from the controversial Special ESOS.

Who is he kidding? Is Idris Jala lying through his teeth?

Idris attribute the delays to 3 factors; namely technical problems, bad weather, and introduction of new check-in system. The most accessed story on NST Online on Sunday today entitled “Statement by Datuk Idris Jala with regards to article on MAS employees crying foul over ESOS distribution” is reproduced below:

WE are aware that there are employee concerns over the Performance Management System (PMS).

"We are taking immediate steps to address the concerns. Yesterday, Friday, 13 July, we met with the senior members from all Unions and Associations, and will immediately set up a Special Task Force on Performance Management, led by executive director and chief financial officer, Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin.

All the Unions and Associations, and management will be represented in this Special Task Force.

The task force will meet next Tuesday and its first and immediate task will be to arrive at a workable solution to address the current concerns around the Employee Share Option Scheme (ESOS) and PMS that have been voiced by employees.

The members of the task force will be tasked to provide their recommendations on immediate actions to be taken at the very latest by Friday, July 20.

At the same time, we are experiencing several flight disruptions due to a combination of factors including technical issues, bad weather and the introduction of the passenger services system.

In terms of technical issues, there were two significant engineering related instances this week.

One involved a Boeing B777 grounded in Frankfurt on July 9 due to an engine damaged by an apron baggage loader.

The engine was subsequently rectified and the aircraft is now back in operation.

Another was an Airbus A330-300 now grounded indefinitely in KL International Airport (KLIA) since Thursday, July 12, after one of its cabin doors was structurally damaged when an airport aerobridge fell to the ground.

In addition, a Boeing B737-400 was grounded in Kota Kinabalu airport on July 12 awaiting special parts for its cockpit window while another Boeing B737-400 is currently undergoing a comprehensive rectification of its flight control system in KLIA.

Bad weather also caused several flight disruptions where among the notable ones were the Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne flight on July 10 that was diverted to Adelaide and a Kuala Lumpur-Penang flight of the same day diverted to Langkawi.

Every one of these situations invariably caused a shortage of operational aircraft, which necessitated the reshuffling and re-timing of some of our normal schedules.

In some instances, one or two `high frequency' flights were cancelled but we compensated by deploying a larger aircraft that could accommodate the combined passenger load.

Apart from our services to some domestic stations, our flights between KLIA and stations such as Penang, Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore were impacted by such ad-hoc re-timings.

Where possible, we notified passengers in advance of these re-timings and flight rescheduling, whilst we also worked with the airport operators for such updates to be featured in the flight arrival and departure information display boards.

These were complemented by appropriate service recovery measures at the various airports to minimize passenger inconvenience.

The technical issues and bad weather were compounded by the introduction of a new passenger services system in line with the mandatory IATA (International Air Transport Association) requirement for e-ticketing.

Like any other new system, we are going through some teething issues as not all our employees are familiar with the new check-in system.

In some cases, this may result in passengers being checked in slower than usual.

We apologise to our customers for the discomfort they experienced arising from these situations.

We are aware that there are speculations that the delays are partly due to dissatisfaction over the newly introduced PMS, ESOS and bonus payment.

We have investigated every incident. At this stage, there is no clear evidence of this and we are continuing to monitor closely every delay and the causes.

As mentioned earlier, we are working closely with the Unions and Associations to address the employees' concerns through the Special Task Force.

Idris Jala lied in this statement!

Insider sources in MAS revealed that the flight delays are not few and normal. In the past two weeks, there has been 30-40 flight delays, or an average of 3-4 flight delays. That is perhaps superb for AirAsia standard of service but not for an Airline with International routes and credible service record like MAS. On a normal day, MAS runs an average 300 flights daily.

Idris Jala's claim to attribute to technical problems and bad weather is fallacious. These are part and parcel of a normal airline operations and should be addressed with ease. The questions that arise are MAS's ability in service recovery and its readiness in preparation and response to such normal happenings in the day-to-day of any typical airline operations (except AirAsia, off course).

To illustrate the point, insider described one such delay was a case of malfunctioning aerobridge or colloquilly described as, “it had fallen off”. Obviously, a standby aerobridge should be readily available or passengers redirected for their boarding with the least time delay.

MAS has a history of sabotage from disgruntled staff. Management have enhanced security and supervision in the engineering work area to ensure no repeated incident of wire cutting as happened many years ago. Perhaps, Idris Jala has considered personally doing late night surprise engine count check.

Dissatisfaction is clearly endemic in the past one month throughout the organisation. MAS Managers and staff has resigned to a work-to-rule unspoken protest. There is wide spread reluctance to undertake any "extra effort" initiatives. Sentiment among staff is "jangan susah-susah, boss baru tak tahu apa saja dapat macam-macam". The corruptible MASEU and MAS union officials does not help their cause either.

The reason to implement the new passenger services system or check-in system, spinned and justified by Idris Jala to meet the IATA requirement, raises more questions.

Is the new system necessary? Insiders within MAS has long complained that the new system, "SITA Check In Sytem" as more inferior to the existing "MAS Komputer" system. To know some story about the system, all one need is to recall back the “flying buffet” chain e-mail that was making its round few years back.

This system was proposed by one Puan Mazida bte Mohd Noor, a subject of that vicious email. She has recently resigned from MAS, but her proposed system is still being pursued by management. Could this be the system that raised in the e-mail suspicion of kickback, excessive salary for an over-rated expatriate, and sordid personal details?

Idris Deceived the Government!

The real reason believed for the rush to implement this system now is speculated as Idris Jala’s desperation to “score points”. Operational people have long highlighted the inadequacy of the new system to retrieve certain critical information. Could this system serves to falsify profit figures for Idris Jala?

As it is, he has successfully deceived the Minister of Finance (MoF) in face-to-face briefing into believing his 6 quarters of continuous profits guaratee. It is too obvious the praise by MoF II as “the best CEO money can buy" a statement typical from an easily deceived Pak Lah.

Pix taken from Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin's blog posting "Idris Jala: CEO that Money can Buy"

Industry circle have long questioned Idris Jala’s turnaround ability. Thus far, all he has done is to retrench experienced staff and management, and is replaced with novice or non airline-experianced, and over-rated Accountants.

Although partly stiffled by the Minister for “Air Asia affair”, Dato Chan Kong Choy and the politically influential AirAsia, Idris is incapable turning around AirAsia operationally. The so-called profit of MAS on those profitable quarters have been merely from asset sales and said to be creatively translated as operational profit.

Within Shell, he is merely known as "specialist" in retrenching exercise and busting unions. Existing and former MAS staff will never forget his press statement, when first joined MAS, to deny laying off of staff but focus on operational turnaround. Just to show that Idris Jala is a compulsive liar.

For more perspective with the happenings in MAS, read back Biggum Dogmannsteinburg's "MAS: Going Beyond Whose Expectations?" and Jeff Ooi's Citicorp: Sell Airasia to Take Profit.

The Human Resource Man Myth

The latest debacle involving the Special ESOS and PMS (widely ridiculed as Pre-Meditated Sacking) illustrates the myth of Idris Jala as a Human Resource man meant for human resource turnaround strategy. MAS is an organisation with one of the biggest workforce in the country and a leading player in the local aerospace industry.

The aerospace industry is one industry that provide a platform to elevates the country's ability in high technological capability. Try fathom the amount of money required to develop this industry? It requires millions or not billion to establish the facilities, and training the highly specialised technical skills. Pak Lah received headline for "Aerospace New Growth Area For M'sia To Exploit" in his November 21, 2006 statement (read from this PM Department link here).

With the appointment of Idris Jala as his "Human Resource Man" at MAS, does Pak Lah realised of the impact to the industry's "Pembangunan Modal Insan", to pun another of his slogan? How is Malaysia to meet his plan to be a global player in the aerospace industry by 2015 with the skilled and experienced aerospace personnel migrating abroad and existing ones disgruntled? How do you develop human resource, when you can't even manage in the first place?

If he care to find out, the majority, if not monopoly, of players and technical people in the Malaysian aerospace industry are Bumiputera. The plan for an aerospace industry has been set long before he learned to pronounced the word "aerospace" correctly as he is still struggling to learn to pronounce "aerospatile". It is not developed after his 2006 press statement.

This is yet another of his lying slogan, "Malay Agenda". His appointed turnaround man for MAS, Idris Jala is a case of "tikus membaiki labu". That seems to be the order of the day for Pak Lah's GLC reform and turnaround, like in Proton.

If Idris Jala is the Project Leader and MAS was the turnaround project for "The Apprentice", I can bet till my last dollar The Donald would utter to him, "You are fired! Now get out!". I would imagine he turn towards the standing Pak Lah standing and say, "You too! Go, you both!"

Ayahanda Bonda: May You Bloom and Grow Forever

Bismillahirrohmanirohim
Penghulu kata, pendulu bicara

Izinkan saya sedikit masa,
Berkongsi sepatah dua kata,
Sambil duduk bertentang mata,
Sebelum kita menjamu selera.

Assalamualaikum dan Good Afternoon,
Kepada hadirin dan kedua Tun.
Jika bunyi kurang santun,
Mohon maaf, mohon ampun.

Kita berkumpul sebagai keluarga,
Meraikan bapa dan ibu tercinta,
Tak ada mereka tak ada kita,
Itulah ayat pendekar tua.

Bukan tujuan mahu meminta,
Tidak juga ingin bercerita,
Cuma mahu bertentang mata,
Mengatakan kasih kepada Tun berdua.

Di sini kita duduk bersama,
Adik kakak, abang dan anak,
Dalam suasana penuh gembira,
Kerana kita berkeluarga semua.

Jika dahulu Tun Mahathir berkuasa,
Didamping pula Tun Siti yang setia,
Kini, mereka dah ada yang lupa,
Mungkin tak sengaja...

Wahai kedua ibu dan bapa,
Kami ikuti kisah mu berdua,
Ke sana ke mari seia sekata,
Pahit manis dirasa bersama.

Tempoh hari Tun terlentang
dalam kesakitan jantung diserang,
Kami, adik kakak, abang dan anak
risau dan gundah, tidor tak nyenyak
namun, berat mata memandang,
berat lagi bahu memikul
Dari jauh ramai juga yang datang,
Meninjau kesihatan berdoa panjang.

Berkat doa kita semua
dengan usaha tabib istimewa,
permintaan kita dikabul jua
Tun pulih sediakala,
Berjuang terus tanpa kira
Kadangkala menunggang kuda,
Membikin kita risau semula.

Jika diikut langkah mereka,
Semakin jauh kita menjaja
Membawa khidmat mengebar bendera,
Negara tercinta semakin ternama.

Jangan dikira usia mereka,
Ia cuma angka semata,
Cuba selami jiwa mereka,
Mungkin terasa semangat waja.

Budi dan jasa ditabur merata,
Tunjuk ajar diberi percuma,
Ramai penerima mengumpul harta,
Tak kurang juga yang mudah lupa.

Years ago when you were in power,
Never did once you surrender,
Acknowledged by all as the consumate leader,
Taking the nation to the world yonder.

Ninety-seven, and, ninety eight,
Turbulent years, everyone said,
Street wars and currency raid,
We found ourselves going into the red.

When others were full of doubt,
Instead, you chose to shout,
And proved beyond a shadow of doubt,
Why we need to stay above board.

If, today we have excelled,
It's partly because you taught us well,
Now, allow us to wish you both well,
And may your good fortune continue to swell.

Still,
If there's anything you need, pray tell.

Udah, cukuplah dulu kita bercerita,
InsyaAllah disambung di lain masa,
Mari kira raikan ibu dan bapa,
Tak ada mereka tak ada kita.

Pulau pandan jauh ketengah,
Gunung daik bercabang tiga,
Hancur badan dikandung tanah,
Budi yang baik dikenang juga.

Pisang emas dibawa belayar,
Masak sebiji di atas peti,
Hutang emas boleh dibayar,
Hutang budi dibawa mati.

Kalau ada jarum yang patah,
Jangan disimpan di dalam peti,
Kalau ada silap dan salah,
Jangan disimpan di dalam hati

Ahmad A Talib (from his blog here)
10 julai, 2007
Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya

The above verses was penned and presented by Dato' Ahmad A Talib at the celebration of the recent birthday of Tun Dr Mahathir's and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah's birthday, which fall on July 10 and July 12 respectively. Near the end of the reading, there was a hint of “teriak” or kedahan slang for melancholy in his voice. Perhaps, it was his expression of sadness or, perhaps it is his gratitude.

Love him or loath him, no one would deny Tun Dr Mahathir’s presence in the history of this country. The sceptic may say what they wish, but he provided in that 22 years the leadership for a nation brimming with potential and yearning for progression.

As mortal, he may have erred here and there. I myself had some disagreement but resign myself to accept that he is not out there then to merely please me alone. The long and short is he did his best, even if some may detest.

Leadership is not a simple subject to describe. The people lead, and situation warrants its own brand of leadership suitable to the requirement of the time.

R.J. House in his book, Culture, Leadership, and Organizations: The Globe Study of 62 Societies (2004) defines "leadership" organizationally and narrowly as "the ability of an individual to influence, motivate and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organizations (or nation in this case) of which they are members (or citizen in this case)".


Perhaps, on another significant occasion of his life, it is worth deriving a lesson from it. As I reflect, the truly significant legacy and lesson from Tun Dr Mahathir that he has imparted to us and for us to emulate is the myriad of leadership qualities he exhibit.

Leadership needs a vision and that vision need to be articulated well. Leaders display a passion and strong conviction of, what they regard as, the moral correctness of their vision. That conviction comes with great confidence, determination and persistence.

Leaders is not about image building only, without the role model of competency, credibility, and trustworthy. Outstanding leaders are great communicators that are able to drive its followers to a certain high performance expectation.

The most indelible mark of Tun Dr Mahathir's leadership to me must be his currency crisis management and his brave message to our former colonial master, I'll buy from you last!.

It is now best left for history to judge him. Be it friends or fore and whether they care to admit it or not, I strongly believe we miss his leadership, brevity and decisiveness, more than anything else.

I guess I can emphatize with the sadness felt by Dato Ahmad A Talib. The treatment he gets display a bad trait of society today. We have lost the attribute to respect our elders, a representative of our past. The fascination for new this and that and amplified further by slogan for paradigm shift represents a digression from a Malay culture for positive continuity and continuous progression. People and nation without continuity with its past shows disrespect for its history. Such people and nation is doomed.

Again, happy birthday ayahanda Tun Dr Mahathir and bonda Tun Siti Hasmah. May I end by dedicating these verses from Edelweiss, the song from the movie Sounds of Music, for you both:

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

One Moment in Time

Each day I live
I want to be
A day to give
The best of me
I'm only one
But not alone
My finest day
Is yet unknown

I broke my heart
Fought every gain
To taste the sweet
I face the pain
I rise and fall
Yet through it all
This much remains

I want one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

I've lived to be
The very best
I want it all
No time for less
I've laid the plans
Now lay the chance
Here in my hands

Give me one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

You're a winner for a lifetime
If you seize that one moment in time
Make it shine

Give me one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will be
I will be
I will be free
I will be
I will be free

-- Whitney Houston (1988)


I celebrated my birthday early morning July 5th recently. By American standard time, that falls within July 4th, their Independence Day. Birthdays should be a joyous occasion but apart from the surprise birthday cake from a great group of bloggers, it was a subdude event for me. My political and philosophical view on my recent birthday is worth a rambling.

Despite the auspiciousness of my birthdate, I decide against putting up a posting on that date. Simply, because of my disdain with America despite it being the country that enlightened me with knowledge and sharpened my intellect and awareness of the world.

I am saddened to the fact that America has deviated violently from its great ideals as inscribed in its Declaration of Independence. It is a country that supress the independence of others. To celebrate their independence is sheer mockery, America is now the leading power recolonising the world.

America today force their will on every nation on earth, like the European colonials of fore. America lies to the hilt to justify their brutality and venture into the nations of the world it deemed necessary. It is not the America that fought a civil war to free the slaves, but it is out to enslave humanity for its self interest and paranoia.

America is out to hegemonise the world but hypocritically claimed it is made under the name of freedom. The disparity is noticably obvious from the assertion in their Declaration of Independence that political independence is a matter of natural law for the people based on reasonable, explicable, and explainable basis. They justify their independence based on the king's "repeated injuries and usurpations" of the Americans' rights and liberties and yet they are acting as "king" on foreign lands.

On a similar basis, Malays, the native inhabitant of Malaya went up to revolt against the proposed Malayan Union in 1946 which seek to impose the colonial free will on our political domain beyond their role as trustee administrator.

Subsequently, the momentum to revolt against Malayan Union gain further ground into a movement for independence. This year, on August 31st will be our 50th celebration of that momentous occassion at Stadium Merdeka in 1957.


Although I have been talking about the celebration of independence and now touched on our very own independence, I am neither keen to talk of the struggle and intrigue towards achieving our independence, nor am I keen to see it from inconsistencies pervading our society and nation today.

However, I still wish to talk about that "one moment in time". It is about the need to have a sense of struggle with a value attached to it.

As one advancing further in the 40s, I have perhaps some level of time honoured wisdom to state my observation and opinion that there is a diminishing sense of struggle and purpose pervading the younger ladies and gentlemen of today.

Even amongst the mature and educated adults within my peers, I can't help notice and share that many are becoming more myopic in their perspective of events and narrowed in their scenario scanning. They could not observe beyond the tangibles, notably financial and immediate horizon to anticipate the forthcoming implications.

I could attempt to attribute it to the speed of change in the world today and its drive for expediency in deliverables. Perhaps, such velocity impedes ones ability to think in a broader and more comprehensive and structured manner.

However, I refuse to agree with that line of practical rationality. The distinction between men and animal lies in the mind and from there it generates norm and practices concurrent with value derived from principles of religion, or philosophy or environment.

These norms and practices are constantly evolving and developing over time and history into a set culture. Whether static within the short perspective of time, or vary over longer period of times, culture provides a set of value system and practices that should perservere the test of time and surroundings. Culture is synonymous with morality or acceptable norms and practices.

If we continue to sustain our accepted value and morality as the accepted norm and practices, we will always remain guided, and our past and present is seamless and of a continuous consistency.

As I relate that back to our independence, it could be regressive that we severe the continuity from the value of our past struggle for new thoughts and paradigm that is not a natural evolution but reactive. What we believed and revolted when our stomach are hungry should also be the belief and struggle we adhere to with a full stomach. Let us not lose sight and weakened with properity.

Inevitably, life is a full circle and history tend to repeat itself. It is those that dare to defy is the cause celebre. It is a celebration to adhere to their value-laden struggle and value to refuse unwarranted discountinuity. Perhaps, the celebration of freedom and independence is only relevent if one has defiantly refuse to compromise ones struggle and value.

Helah Lee Kuan Yew, WPI dan Hak Melayu: Biarkan! Biarkan!

Edisi terbaru Era Baru yang diperintah rampas oleh pihak pengurusan UMNO di Ibu Pejabat UMNO Rabu lepas

Dalam cerita sastera rakyat Melayu, ada satu kisah lucu mengenai si Luncai yang ditelah di perintah bunuh dan dicampak di kuala sungai. Si Luncai berjaya mengakal hulubalang raja dengan menyuruh mereka bersorak, "Biarkan! Biarkan!" apabila tersebut kata-kata "Si Luncai terjun dengan labu-labunya."

Apabila Si Luncai betul-betul terjun, mereka leka bersorak "Biarkan! Biarkan" hingga dapat Si Luncai berenang ke tebing sungai.

Penulis tertarik dan ingin memetik tulisan blogger Kaptenbersara dalam tulisan blog, "Lee Kuan Yew Dan Saikoloji Songsangnya. Dalam kata pembukanya, dia berkata:

"Rakyat Malaysia khasnya pemimpin-pemimpin UMNO dalam barisan Imam Hadhari sedang diperolok-olokan oleh Lee Kuan Yew dengan permainan Saikoloji Songsang (Reverse Psychology)".

Bagaikan si Luncai memperolokkan hulubalang raja, itulah Saikoloji Songsang yang dikenakan keatas pembesar-pembesar Melayu yang diperolok-olokkan si apek "komunis" tua.

WPI: Merungkai Hak Rakyat Asal Yang Terpinggir

Dipelbagai genap masyarakat Melayu, mereka kini sedang khayal bersorak "Biarkan! Biarkan!". Ramai tidak menyedari WPI adalah satu program untuk merungkai hak rakyat asal yang dipinggir penjajah.

Sebenarnya ramai tidak menyedari bahawa WPI atau Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar hanyalah suatu pembangunan hartanah gergasi tanpa ada asas perancangan ekonomi disebaliknya dan jauh sekali satu strategi ekonomi yang tersusun.

Ia sebenarnya hanya lakaran peta yang telah di petak-petakkan untuk konon-konon kegiatan ekonomi tertentu dan lukisan bangunan imaginasi arkitek. Ianya tiada pengisian dan perancangan yang merangkumi aspek ekonomi, sosial dan politik negara, malah boleh membahayakan kedaulatan dan keselamatan negara.

Dengan pengakuan Pak Lah di Majlis Makan Malam Kuala Lumpur Business Club baru-baru bahawa WPI adalah taktik atau peluang untuk merungkai Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB), secara tidak langsung, ia adalah usaha untuk memundurkan Malaysia kepada ekonomi penjajah dan bukan ekonomi berasas kepentingan nasional.

Mangsanya adalah rakyat Malaysia yang secara tidak adil dipaksa kembali kepada warisan ekonomi penjajah yang meminggirkan satu-satu bangsa kepada satu-satu aktiviti ekonomi, kawasan penduduk dan tahap kemajuan sosial. Dalam keasyikan untuk menganuti ideologi globalisasi, ia akan menjadikan ekonomi kita menjadi ekonomi laisse fairre yang bebas sebebasnya, hingga kepentingan dan halatuju sosial, ekonomi dan politik negara diketepikan demi kepentingan kaum-kaum bermodal atau kapitalis, khususnya dari luar negara.

Bagi orang Melayu yang mempunyai hak hakiki sebagai rakyat tempatan dan asal yang dipinggirkan dengan sistematik oleh penjajah, urbanisasi dari projek WPI akan mengembalikan sejarah kepada penjajahan berbentok neokolonialisma. Kalau semasa zaman penjajah, mereka berani bangun bersuara, kini bangsa Melayu sudah jadi pengecut dan bodoh hingga tidak menyedari hak hakiki mereka akan tergadai dan suara-suara si ketol begitu banyak mahu menafikan suara dan hak mereka.

Reverse Psychology - Empty Fort Strategy

Kapten bersara mengulas mengenai komen Lee Kuan Yew:

"Menurut kamus Wikipedia, “Reverse psychology is the term that describes the outcome where advocacy of one course of action persuades another person to do the opposite”. Secara ringkasnya Saikologi Songsang (SS) ialah sebutan bagi kata-kata atau tindakan yang dilakukan dengan sengaja yang bertujuan mendapatkan tindakbalas atau reaksi yang bertentangan.

SS bukan perkara baru bagi kaum China. Ia merupakan strategi yang ke 32 dari sebanyak 36 strategi peperangan yang diamalkan oleh orang-orang China sejak tahun 219 sebelum masihi (SM) lagi. Ada banyak contoh yang boleh dikaitkan dengan SS ini, tetapi contoh paling mudah ialah “The Empty Fort Strategy”.

Dalam peperangan Hanzhong pada tahun 219 SM, apabila tentera Cao Cao menyerang pertahanan tentera Liu Bei, mereka mendapati kem Liu Bie senyap sunyi serta pintu kotanya terbuka luas tanpa sebarang pengawal. Ini membuatkan tentera Cao Cao mengesyaki kem itu sedang dijadikan sebagai perangkap untuk mereka, lalu mereka tidak jadi masuk dan berundur dari situ. Strategi bersembunyi dan membuka pintu kota tanpa pengawal telah menyebabkan tentera Liu Bie selamat dari serangan itu, walaupun bilangan mereka lebih kecil dan lemah."

Begitu telaten, Kaptenbersara meniliti pemikiran strategik Lee Kuan Yew, pasti ada yang tidak mahu menerima dan hanya bersorak "Biarkan! Biarkan!"

Lee Kuan Yew Sekutu Pak Lah

Kaptenbersara menyedari komen Lee Kuan Yew itu helah untuk menyelamatkan sekutunya Abdullah. Dia menyedari rakyat ramai begitu marah dengan kelalaian dan kebadutan Pak Lah.

"Kata-kata Lee Kuan Yew bahawa ada pemimpin UMNO Johor cuba menjatuhkan PM Abdullah dan menggagalkan IDR, sebenarnya bertujuan mengukuhkan kedudukan PM Abdullah yang sedang beliau jadikan “kuda tunggangan” bagi menjayakan hasrat dan niat jahat Singapura di dalam IDR."

Abdullah adalah seorang pemimpin yang boleh digambarkan seperti kata-kata petikan Nancy Pelosi, Ketua Dewan Kongress Amerika Syarikat mengenai Presiden George W Bush, "He is incompetent, in denial and dangerous".

Singapura menyedari Abdullah pemimpin yang perlu dipimpin dan bukan dia yang memimpin. Mereka sendiri memprofilkan Abdullah sebagai seorang yang lalai bila dipuji dan ambil mudah dalam satu-satu perkara. Dia tidak mempunyai fikiran yang tajam untuk mendalami satu-satu isu, malah dia seorang yang amat malas membaca dan hanya bergantung sepenuh kepada penasihat tertentu sahaja.

"Lee Kuan Yew tahu bahawa sebagai reaksi sepontan pemimpin-pemimpin (setengah masak) UMNO Johor akan berebut-berebut membuat kenyataan menafikankan kata-katanya itu. Seperti biasa ini akan disusuli pula oleh majlis-majlis dan perhimpunan-perhimpunan besar-besaran anjuran UMNO Johor bagi menyampaikan ikrar taat setia dan sumpah teguh berdiri di belakang PM Abdullah dan menyokong penuh IDR. Inilah tujuan sebenar kenyataannya itu dan perangkapnya nampaknya sudah mengena dengan mudah."

Ramalan Kaptenbersara amat tepat kerana sehingga hari ini Dato Seri Najib, Dato Seri Hishamuddin dan Dato Syed Hamid saja yang membuat komen. Kalau disedari, ketiga-tiga mereka ini adalah suara dari Kuala Lumpur. Jika diamati kata-kata Najib bahawa suara pemimpin-pemimpin UMNO Johor diambilkira, ia seolah memberitahu ia menyedari suara bangkangan dari Johor. Mungkin ini adalah kata-kata yang terpaksa dilakukan terbuka, tetapi perlu disorok-sorok.

Nampak ada kebenaran disebalik tajuk hadapan akhbar politik terbaru Era Baru, "Pemimpin UMNO Pengecut!" Dengar-dengar akhbar isu ini telah dirampas oleh pihak pengurusan UMNO pada hari Rabu lepas, semasa ianya di edarkan di Ibu Pejabat UMNO. (lihat gambar diatas)

Suara rakyat, samada sokong atau bangkang, jangan diabaikan kerana orang-orang dahulu kata, marah atau tegur itu maksudnya sayang dan prihtin. Bila dia tak tegur, dia dah tak peduli UMNO. Susah benar Pak Lah dan pembesar-pembesarnya nak fahami, terutama ketika mabuk dengan kuasa dan harta.

Kalau dah pengikut Pak Lah yang menyedari hanya menjadi apologis dengan berkata "Pak Lah tetap Pak Lah", mereka serupa bersorak "Biarkan! Biarkan!".

Jenayah di Johor?

Kita pun jangan lupa Saikologi Songsang Lee Kuan Yew mengenai jenayah di Johor. Kaptenbersara menulis:

"Kita ambil satu lagi contoh tindakan Saikoloji Songsang apek tua yang licik ini. Beliau telah menggunakan akhbar Berita Harian dan Strait Times untuk menyatakan kebimbangannya mengenai tahap keselamatan di Johor, ekoran beberapa “kejadian-kejadian” jenayah yang dilaporkan sendiri oleh akhbar-akhbar tersebut. Ini dikuti oleh suara-suara menyokong dari berbagai pihak termasuk pemimpin (setengah masak) UMNO sendiri.

Seperti yang dijangkakan, PM Abdullah mengarahkan KPN menghantar 70 ribu anggota tambahan ke Johor. Nah! inilah hajat sebenar mereka. Rakyat Singapura tersenyum sampai ke telinga melihat PDRM menjadi pengawal keselamatan mereka secara percuma."

Padahal rakan saya Biggum Dogmannsteinburg (di sini dan sini) sudah menunjukkan bukti bahawa cerita-cerita jenayah adalah rekaan dan propaganda Singapura dan DAP.

Tan Sri Musa Hasan sendiri telah membuat pendedahan bahawa jenayah besar di Johor Baru adalah melibatkan penjenayah Singapura. Padanlah Singapura pernah membuat pelbagai dakwaan mengenai peningkatan angka jenayah sedangkan angka jelas bercanggah. Mungkin kah mereka kepala gangster mereka akan beroperasi di Johor Baru.

Adakah mereka merancang ini untuk berlaku dan ada tersirat tujuan tertentu? Mungkin menjadi justifikasi atau alasan untuk menghalalkan melakukan sesuatu? Jangan sekali kita alpa bahawa Lee Kuan Yew ini bagaikan Yahudi yang tidak pernah tidak memikirkan semua dari segi ketenteraan.

Bagaikan kerbau di cucuk hidung, begitu ramai yang terikut-ikut bersorak "Biarkan! Biarkan!" Tidak adakah jenayah di Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang dan lain-lain bandar-bandar utama di Malaysia untuk 70,000 polis dihantar kesana sahaja?

Helah Si Apek "Komunis" Tua

"Banyak lagi contoh yang boleh diteliti bersama seperti kata-kata bahawa Singapura akan kehilangan industri”, “menghadapi “masalah pengangguran”, tidak mendapat “layanan istimewa” dan berbagai-bagai lagi. Kita lihat perkataan-perkataan “lawan” atau “songsang” kepada “hilang” lawannya “jumpa”. Perkataan “menganggur” lawannya “ada banyak kerja”, perkataan “tidak dapat" lawannya “dapat” layanan istimewa."

Jelas sekali, salah seorang pemikir ulung ideologi xenophobia dunia ini hanya mahu "package" yang lebih baik untuk Singapura dan memberi helah untuk jual mahal.

Sebenarnya industri Singapura sudah tidak boleh bertahan berdasarkan struktur yang ada. Mereka perlu merubah ke tahap industri yang lebih canggih dan teknologi lebih tinggi. Industri yang ada dan baru perlu kawasan baru. Hubungan mereka dengan jiran-jiran seperti Indonesia dan Thailand sudah renggang. China, negara "motherland" pernah memainkan mereka kerana tidak memberikan keistimewaan untuk mereka di Suzhou. Hanya Malaysia merupakan prospek ruang selesa untuk mereka.

Hairannya, kita sanggup diperolok-olokkan untuk menjadikan kawasan yang kita sendiri berupaya membina sendiri menjadi "sanctuary" khusus untuk Singapura berkembang dan bermanafaat. Adakah pelaburan Singapura akan membawa peningkatan kemahiran dan pengetahuan kepada pembangunan industri di Johor Baru?

Kita hanya akan membina sektor perkhidmatan yang bernilai rendah dari segi ekonomi dan sektor yang tidak jelas prospeknya. Tidak ada sektor ekonomi baru dan berimpak yang akan dibina tetapi hanya yang sedia ada. Malah, dengan pembatalan jambatan Johor, rancangan sektor logistik yang lebih mantap tidak dapat dijalankan. Kita hanya memberi ruang untuk Singapura dalam industeri hartanah dan yang berkaitan hartanah.

Akhirnya mereka yang untung besar, bukan negara kita. Tidak tahu apa lagi keuntungan strategik buat Singapura disebalik kealpaan pembesar kita dan penasihat-penasihat yang pembelot negara.

Rakyat dan pemimpin hanya akur dan bersorak "Biarkan! Biarkan!"

Kaptanbersara bertanya lagi:

"Sampai bilakah kita membiarkan diri diperolok-olokan sebegini. Adakah mana-mana pemimpin selain dari Tun Dr Mahathir yang mampu “mengajar” si apek tua ini?"

Kalau diingati sejarah awal apek tua, dia adalah aktivis kesatuan di Singapura. Semasa zaman itu, kesatuan-kesatuan di Malaya dibelunggu dengan kegiatan politik komunis dan beliau terlibat dalam mengatur pelbaai mogok dan gerakan. Apabila dia naik, beliau mempenjarakan dan menggantung rakan seperjuangannya untuk memutuskan diri dari sejarah lamanya. Inilah orang yang Abdullah buat sebagai rakan, dan contoh. Entah, budak hingus penasihatnya tahukah akan cebisan sejarah ini?

Kaptenbersara tidak realistik untuk mengharap Tun Dr Mahathir kembali semula menyandang tugas Perdana Menteri. Mungkin dalam kerisauannya, itulah yang diharap ramai. Tiada langsungkah antara pemimpin-pemimpin UMNO yang tidak "pengecut" dan mempunyai semangat berani serta cinta pada agama, bangsa, dan tanahair melebehi kepentingan diri? Kita berusaha, tuhan penentu!

Baik kita beringat bahawa tuhan tidak akan mengubah nasib sesuatu bangsa, melainkan bangsa itu mahu mengubahnya sendiri. Kalau hanya bersorak, "Biarkan! Biarkan!" dan berserah kepada tuhan sahaja, tidak akan berlaku apa-apa perubahan.