LET'S forget politics for a while and talk about something just as gloomy -- Malaysian football. It has been down in the dumps for for almost 25 years now and no tweaking by the Football Association of Malaysia seems to have worked while others we used to beat until the early 80s have played in the World Cup a few times since.
But there's still some excitement left, especially when teams which used to watch in awe as the likes of Selangor, Singapore and KL played each other countless times in the Malaysia Cup finals have themselves done well to be left standing to play at Bukit Jalil, just like Negri Sembilan and Kelantan did a few nights ago.
Somehow the frenzy goes up a few notches whenever Kelantan is involved, not just in football but in everything else including fights on our university campuses. There were problems at the Kelantan stadium last year which resulted in a ban for home matches and there were problems in the first leg of the semis against Perlis recently, just as there were in the return leg in Kangar.
I used to watch many of the Malaysia Cup matches at the Merdeka Stadium and also the Merdeka tournament when Malaysia would beat South Korea, Japan, China and Kuwait but have never been to one at the bigger and newer Shah Alam stadium or the National Stadium at Bukit Jalil. That's how long I have abandoned local football as a sport.
There were signs during last weekend's final to drive home the point about what is wrong with the sport here. When someone switched on the TV again after half-time I saw that the score was 3-0 I think in Negri's favour. By then many of the seats previously occupied by Kelantan's red-shirted supporters were empty. The team was abandoned and this is something you don't see in the west, South Korea or Japan although you do see some supporters of the losing team walking out with less than 10 minutes left if that was the score against them. But at 3-0 down there were still about 30 minutes left to play, which means that Kelantan could have still forced their way back into the game. But not supporters of Malaysian teams. To them such a scoreline means no hope. An attitude problem.....
That was not the only way for them to show their frustration and disappointment. The Kelantan supporters also damaged the stadium seats, washrooms and god knows what else. Many, many years ago a Kelantanese used to tell us -- with a bit of pride we felt -- about how some supporters one night stopped their cars by the roadside on the way back home to tear down a house that was being built after Kelantan had lost to Terengganu!!
Most likely Kelantan will be made to pay a penalty but beyond that don't expect the FAM or anyone else to do much more. Teams and players have been banned before but the duration of the penalty is always reduced on appeal. For this you can go back to the days when the late Mokhtar Dahari and former skipper Soh Chin Aun were playing to see that we are all a bunch of soft or kind-hearted souls.......
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
TRY STAY DETACHED ASRI
FORMER Perlis mufti Mohd. Asri Zainal Abidin has been very much in the news since several days ago. It started when he was arrested by the Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Department for not being an accredited speaker on Islam in the state.
I don't want to argue about that, if that's what the law says but some remarks made by Jais didn't help clear an already cloudy situation. And a most disturbing one at that, especially amongst the predictable list of social activists and the liberal minded.
One said the department had been receiving complaints "from local residents" over the years. About Asri? Why, did he speak here and there before in Selangor without a permit? If so why wasn't action taken earlier?
There was also the issue linking Asri and Wahabbism, the Islamic way of the Saudis mainly. Is this banned in Malaysia? I haven't heard about it but I do know that many in Perlis believe in it and practise it. Whether that is a result of Asri's influence when he was in the state I can't tell. If it's banned than everyone practising it should be hauled up but otherwise don't ever talk about it as if it is a problem.
I don't know Asri but I think he may be affected and influenced by the publicity and the following that he now has. I wish he could stay away from the usual suspects -- the activists and opposition politicians -- and remain his own man. Otherwise he will end up being a man politicised and that is not good for someone who is a man of religion who's preaching religion.
I don't want to argue about that, if that's what the law says but some remarks made by Jais didn't help clear an already cloudy situation. And a most disturbing one at that, especially amongst the predictable list of social activists and the liberal minded.
One said the department had been receiving complaints "from local residents" over the years. About Asri? Why, did he speak here and there before in Selangor without a permit? If so why wasn't action taken earlier?
There was also the issue linking Asri and Wahabbism, the Islamic way of the Saudis mainly. Is this banned in Malaysia? I haven't heard about it but I do know that many in Perlis believe in it and practise it. Whether that is a result of Asri's influence when he was in the state I can't tell. If it's banned than everyone practising it should be hauled up but otherwise don't ever talk about it as if it is a problem.
I don't know Asri but I think he may be affected and influenced by the publicity and the following that he now has. I wish he could stay away from the usual suspects -- the activists and opposition politicians -- and remain his own man. Otherwise he will end up being a man politicised and that is not good for someone who is a man of religion who's preaching religion.
A WAY OUT OF THE FLOODS
THERE is a danger of the floods in my home state of Perlis getting worse as I write this. It's never been nowhere near what we see in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang or Johor but it still means that some people have to be evacuated.
I'm here to visit my mother who was in hospital recently. She's out and better now. I hope I can find a way out of town Monday as I head back to KL.
Perlis is ok for some, especially people with families and those who prefer to stay home but I'm a single man who has lived outside the state since 1966 -- that's 43 longs years -- 38 of them in PJ and KL. And mate, I love the nightlife,which Perlis doesn't have at all.
I'm happy that my mother is getting better and also happy that I can now go back to the city with a peace of mind.
I'm here to visit my mother who was in hospital recently. She's out and better now. I hope I can find a way out of town Monday as I head back to KL.
Perlis is ok for some, especially people with families and those who prefer to stay home but I'm a single man who has lived outside the state since 1966 -- that's 43 longs years -- 38 of them in PJ and KL. And mate, I love the nightlife,which Perlis doesn't have at all.
I'm happy that my mother is getting better and also happy that I can now go back to the city with a peace of mind.
A BLOG IS NOT A PRIVATE DOMAIN
THERE are many things we have all discovered with the advent of the new (free) media.
For one the world is suddenly full of writers and commentators saying anything they wish on the mistaken understanding that you can get away with murder even if they post something malicious and slanderous online and injuring the reputation of others with impunity and often without proof of wrongdoing.
The Internet is now home to people who think they can write or people who now have an avenue to vent their frustrations and seek revenge on bitter enemies. Some write very personal and private matters, wrongly thinking that their blogs are a private domain, which they aren't.
While it has provided us with so many things that were previously unthinkable, the online medium has many downsides. One of those is that it is a channel also to be used by the more irresponsible amongst us.
I decided to touch on this tonight because just recently someone wrote at his blog what was an issue within his family . When pointed by a relative that something like that should remain private and within the family, the writer responded to say that he never intended it to be forwarded to an open e-group. That was his biggest mistake -- to think that whatever he puts up at this blog was a private matter.
This should be a lesson to everyone who is writing online, either on his own or as part of a set-up, and who is going to venture online. Your blog is not a private domain, never.
The other downside is the absence of any formal control or checks on writers who were not taught about responsibility to an audience and about the need for balance and fair play. In this respect most of those with the mainstream media can be proud of the fact that they remain apart from the untrained others who write online. You may not shake the earth but at least you know that you haven't wronged anyone intentionally and with malice despite the fact that no one is there to sensor your writings.
For one the world is suddenly full of writers and commentators saying anything they wish on the mistaken understanding that you can get away with murder even if they post something malicious and slanderous online and injuring the reputation of others with impunity and often without proof of wrongdoing.
The Internet is now home to people who think they can write or people who now have an avenue to vent their frustrations and seek revenge on bitter enemies. Some write very personal and private matters, wrongly thinking that their blogs are a private domain, which they aren't.
While it has provided us with so many things that were previously unthinkable, the online medium has many downsides. One of those is that it is a channel also to be used by the more irresponsible amongst us.
I decided to touch on this tonight because just recently someone wrote at his blog what was an issue within his family . When pointed by a relative that something like that should remain private and within the family, the writer responded to say that he never intended it to be forwarded to an open e-group. That was his biggest mistake -- to think that whatever he puts up at this blog was a private matter.
This should be a lesson to everyone who is writing online, either on his own or as part of a set-up, and who is going to venture online. Your blog is not a private domain, never.
The other downside is the absence of any formal control or checks on writers who were not taught about responsibility to an audience and about the need for balance and fair play. In this respect most of those with the mainstream media can be proud of the fact that they remain apart from the untrained others who write online. You may not shake the earth but at least you know that you haven't wronged anyone intentionally and with malice despite the fact that no one is there to sensor your writings.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
POOR SHOW BY SELANGOR ON BADRUL
SINCE early this year I have tried not to miss on news reports on now independent Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah.
There have been many negative reports on the man who was with PKR until he quit the party last week to declare himself as someone Barisan Nasional friendly. There were stories and allegations about a motor accident, about his state of mind, a failure to serve, about being absent from events and also about how from about eight months ago the Selangor government decided to appoint another assemblyman to oversee the constituency, complete with powers to decide on how the money is to be spent.
Which means that while he continued to be paid his allowances, Badrul was effectively sidelined because the money allotted to each elected representative was not for him to decide how to spend. In response to the allegations Badrul expectedly denied everything negative about him. There was also a similar statement from his wife.
This ding-dong of a political game created a blurry picture of the actual situation -- one side saying how hopeless he was and Badrul denying everything. Those not in favour could have convinced the non-partisans if only they had been more specific about the (purported) accident and medical condition. If only they had provided dates and times and be specific about the medical history, if indeed there is any.
The campaign to get Badrul out of the way has not abated, mainly because of the declaration of his sympathies for Barisan. They are now saying that he spent big bucks but no one knows where the money went to, which in fact translates into misappropriation. A very serious allegation. Klang MP Charles Santiago claims that Badrul spent RM370,000 last year "but nothing had been carried out" while this year the amount came to RM200,000 of the entitlement of RM500,000.
If Badrul had played foul my question is why hasn't action been taken against him? What is the procedure like for an assemblyman or MP? When do you release the money to a representative and what must he do before the money is disbursed?
These are questions the Selangor government must satisfy if it is to convince the people that it does have every reason to be peeved with Badrul. But if you look at the situation closely the state government can't claim to be entirely blameless.
There have been many negative reports on the man who was with PKR until he quit the party last week to declare himself as someone Barisan Nasional friendly. There were stories and allegations about a motor accident, about his state of mind, a failure to serve, about being absent from events and also about how from about eight months ago the Selangor government decided to appoint another assemblyman to oversee the constituency, complete with powers to decide on how the money is to be spent.
Which means that while he continued to be paid his allowances, Badrul was effectively sidelined because the money allotted to each elected representative was not for him to decide how to spend. In response to the allegations Badrul expectedly denied everything negative about him. There was also a similar statement from his wife.
This ding-dong of a political game created a blurry picture of the actual situation -- one side saying how hopeless he was and Badrul denying everything. Those not in favour could have convinced the non-partisans if only they had been more specific about the (purported) accident and medical condition. If only they had provided dates and times and be specific about the medical history, if indeed there is any.
The campaign to get Badrul out of the way has not abated, mainly because of the declaration of his sympathies for Barisan. They are now saying that he spent big bucks but no one knows where the money went to, which in fact translates into misappropriation. A very serious allegation. Klang MP Charles Santiago claims that Badrul spent RM370,000 last year "but nothing had been carried out" while this year the amount came to RM200,000 of the entitlement of RM500,000.
If Badrul had played foul my question is why hasn't action been taken against him? What is the procedure like for an assemblyman or MP? When do you release the money to a representative and what must he do before the money is disbursed?
These are questions the Selangor government must satisfy if it is to convince the people that it does have every reason to be peeved with Badrul. But if you look at the situation closely the state government can't claim to be entirely blameless.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
HELLO AGAIN MCA...... WITH ITS DISUNITY PLAN
IF you think the MCA has put its leadership crisis behind it following Tuesday's central committee meeting it's best that you think again.
As it is a former vice-president who was elevated to deputy president and is now back as vice-president has said that he will challenge the decision of the Registrar of Societies to rule that Chua Soi Lek is the rightful number two, whatever the central delegates decided on October 10 at the EGM. Liow Tiong Lai is one very unhappy man and understandably so.
We must also look at the supposedly greater unity plan which seemed more like a disunity plan. It was precisely that plan that was due for a discussion on Tuesday afternoon but just hours earlier party president Ong Tee Keat removed four CC appointees not supportive of him. So what unity they asked?
Liow's issue over his position may not be the only point of contention.
The four CC members concerned were in the group of 16 who submitted a requisition for another EGM, just enough numbers to qualify to make that call. Now, when they submitted it last Thursday the four were in all intent and purposes lawfully appointed CC members. The party HQ was already making preparations to call for the EGM. With the removal they can no longer call themselves CC members but Thursday came before Tuesday.
Frankly I don't know what to make out of this country's senior political party which in many ways is next to Umno in significance from a historical and racial perspective. I don't what to say about its present leadership or more specifically its president. I said earlier that the MCA's problems were far from over. I am saying the same again. Maybe they should just dissolve it.....
As it is a former vice-president who was elevated to deputy president and is now back as vice-president has said that he will challenge the decision of the Registrar of Societies to rule that Chua Soi Lek is the rightful number two, whatever the central delegates decided on October 10 at the EGM. Liow Tiong Lai is one very unhappy man and understandably so.
We must also look at the supposedly greater unity plan which seemed more like a disunity plan. It was precisely that plan that was due for a discussion on Tuesday afternoon but just hours earlier party president Ong Tee Keat removed four CC appointees not supportive of him. So what unity they asked?
Liow's issue over his position may not be the only point of contention.
The four CC members concerned were in the group of 16 who submitted a requisition for another EGM, just enough numbers to qualify to make that call. Now, when they submitted it last Thursday the four were in all intent and purposes lawfully appointed CC members. The party HQ was already making preparations to call for the EGM. With the removal they can no longer call themselves CC members but Thursday came before Tuesday.
Frankly I don't know what to make out of this country's senior political party which in many ways is next to Umno in significance from a historical and racial perspective. I don't what to say about its present leadership or more specifically its president. I said earlier that the MCA's problems were far from over. I am saying the same again. Maybe they should just dissolve it.....
Monday, November 2, 2009
NOT THE ONLY FACTOR BUT A SIGNIFICANT ONE
I DON'T think many people will disagree with the prime minister's view that the country can have a single stream school system if the people are ready for it. The reaction by the deputy prime minister that while he agreed with the proposal which must first consider inputs from everyone also makes sense.
Thanks to historian Khoo Kay Kim, who proposed that the education system be restructured, and also a few MPs who agreed with this, our education system is back on the radar.
But one point PM Najib Razak did not touch on and the reporters present at the function he attended didn't ask was how are we going to gauge the people's views on the proposal. Najib was reported to have said that "I think the people have not made a final decision yet....some are in favour of a single stream while others want to retain their right to choose".
One man who has no hesitation in opposing such a restructuring is MIC president S. Samy Vellu who is of the opinion that vernacular schools will not hamper national unity. I'll get to this later.
I'm all for a single system and have said it before many times here and elsewhere. I also agree that it should be introduced only if the people agree although I also support the position that a government that feels strongly enough that this can only be good for the country will try and convince the people of its benefits and then do it.
Assuming that we want the people to decide, how is the government going to determine this? A referendum would be the best option but Najib didn't mention this. If we have a referendum the other questions that need to be sorted out are who can participate and what percentage in favour will mean that the proposal goes through?
Samy Vellu not in favour? He's not the only one. I find it odd that people who have been shouting their throats hoarse on wanting a Malaysian Malaysia, a Malaysian race and everything else are silent when it comes to this issue about a unified and single education system. Most of the letters in the press have asked how can possibly think like Malaysians when we go to different schools, wear different uniforms and speak different languages?
Granted that this system will not guarantee unity and that there are other factors involved but it is one that will go a long, long way towards unifying better the different races in the country. Those amongst us who are honest and sincere enough can only support such a transformation.
Thanks to historian Khoo Kay Kim, who proposed that the education system be restructured, and also a few MPs who agreed with this, our education system is back on the radar.
But one point PM Najib Razak did not touch on and the reporters present at the function he attended didn't ask was how are we going to gauge the people's views on the proposal. Najib was reported to have said that "I think the people have not made a final decision yet....some are in favour of a single stream while others want to retain their right to choose".
One man who has no hesitation in opposing such a restructuring is MIC president S. Samy Vellu who is of the opinion that vernacular schools will not hamper national unity. I'll get to this later.
I'm all for a single system and have said it before many times here and elsewhere. I also agree that it should be introduced only if the people agree although I also support the position that a government that feels strongly enough that this can only be good for the country will try and convince the people of its benefits and then do it.
Assuming that we want the people to decide, how is the government going to determine this? A referendum would be the best option but Najib didn't mention this. If we have a referendum the other questions that need to be sorted out are who can participate and what percentage in favour will mean that the proposal goes through?
Samy Vellu not in favour? He's not the only one. I find it odd that people who have been shouting their throats hoarse on wanting a Malaysian Malaysia, a Malaysian race and everything else are silent when it comes to this issue about a unified and single education system. Most of the letters in the press have asked how can possibly think like Malaysians when we go to different schools, wear different uniforms and speak different languages?
Granted that this system will not guarantee unity and that there are other factors involved but it is one that will go a long, long way towards unifying better the different races in the country. Those amongst us who are honest and sincere enough can only support such a transformation.
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