Mindful Mariner: Bloggers Universe Malaysia

Showing posts with label Bloggers Universe Malaysia. Show all posts

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Bernard Khoo, (MALAYSIAN BLOGGER ZORRO) to appear at Commercial Crimes Dept

Bernard (Zorro) will have to appear tomorrow at the Police Commercial Crimes Department, Kuala Lumpur tomorrow 4th November 2009.

Fellow blogger and lawyer Haris Ibrahim of the People’s Parliament is to represent him.

The Star reports this HERE

Cui bono?

For whose benefit is it?

Saturday, 26 July 2008

QANTAS B747-400 Incident-Was the Malaysian Lackadaisical Maintenance Culture A Factor?

QANTAS B747-400 "Spirit of Australia

I certainly hope it was not, but have a gut-feeling it may have been!

If it was there must be a full inquiry and all those involved must be severely dealt with.

Sydney-based tabloid The Daily Telegraph quoted an anonymous senior QANTAS pilot as a saying that the yesterday’s (25^th July 2008) QANTAS Flight QF 30 Boeing 747-400 incident could have been due to the company’s outsourcing of maintenance to Malaysia.

The pilot said that there had been a lot of talk among pilots about the poor checks on aircraft being performed overseas.

“Qantas outsourcing maintenance to Malaysia is certainly worrying a lot of us pilots. There has been aircraft coming back with dodgy staples to secure wiring,” said the quoted QANTAS pilot.

To read the full Malaysiakini report, please click HERE

Read the Sydney Daily Telegraph news report click HERE

My earlier posts:

“Is Aircraft Maintenance in Malaysia Sub-standard?”

click HERE , refers to a similar subject.

and also

"QANTAS Aircraft Maintenance in Malaysia –Follow Up" HERE

Virtutis fortuna comes

- Good luck is the companion of courage

Monday, 7 July 2008

PM Blames Bloggers

Meanwhile, PM Abdullah says:

"Bloggers too to be blamed for rumours and speculation"

"Kuala Lumpur, 7th JUly 2008, ............wants bloggers to stop speculating and spreading rumours on the Internet as this is another cause of the unsettled political situation in the country.

"I want to tell the blogs to stop all these as they are also responsible for what has happened. The best thing they could do is to stop," he told reporters after holding several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 6th D-8 Heads of Government Summit here Monday.

The summit proper of the eight Developing Islamic Nations (D-8) is scheduled to begin in the federal capital Tuesday.

The prime minister was commenting on the current political situation in the country, which seemed unsettled since the last general election in March.

See BERNAMA story HERE

I didn't realise blogger were so vitally important!

Note to all bloggers:

Saepe stilum vertas

- May you often turn the stylus (Make corrections frequently)

Sunday, 6 July 2008

Are bloggers on strike in Malaysia?

No way José!

The Malaysian main stream media have gone to town, gleefully reporting that there is a bloggers strike.

It is true as far as the word ‘strike’ is concerned, but the context should be:

Bloggers are ever ready and will always strike at the jugular of the corrupt, the self-enriching, the deceitful, the hypocrites and those who greedily abuse their power.

The bloggers will strike and counterstrike until there is change.

True democracy, human rights, and freedom must be restored, 50 years under UMNO / BN must end, it is time for change.

BLOGGERS, WILL CONTINUE THEIR STRIKE,

and everyone else must strike too, if they want a better future,

AGAINST GREED, DECEIT, BRIBERY & CORRUPTION, SELF ENRICHMENT, HYPOCRISY, ABUSE OF POWER AND LIES,

AND CONTINUE TO DEMAND:

GOOD GOVERNANCE

TRUE SEPARATION OF POWERS

FREEDOM OF SPEECH & ASSEMBLY

HUMAN RIGHTS

TRUE JUSTICE

EQUALITY FOR ALL

THE END OF RACISM

ECONOMIC REFORMS

TRANSPARENCY

Velle est posse

- To be willing is to be able

Thursday, 8 May 2008

Free RPK, Vigil tonight, a call to 'Investigate Najib for sedition'

Invitation
CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL

Today: Thursday 8th May 2008. Time 20:00 (8 pm).
Venue: Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
source: www.malaysia-today.net/2008

The letter to the Editor (see below) was posted on Malaysia Today, it is reproduced here, in full, for general information, in the interest of freedom of speech, democracy and truth.

"A Call to Investigate Najib Tun Razak under the Sedition Act

Posted by Erin

Thursday, 08 May 2008

by V for Vernon

My fellow Malaysians,

It is indeed noteworthy that our ever-so-efficient and conscientious Polis Di-Raja Malaysia and the Attorney General's Chambers have recently demonstrated vigilance and duty in upholding the laws of the land. As such, Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin, editor of Malaysia-Today.net news portal and blog, has been charged under the Sedition Act 1948, specifically under Section 4(1)(c) related to publishing a seditious article. It is also understood that a Malaysian author, Syed Akbar Ali, was also charged for seditious comments on Malaysia-Today's website.

These two cases now are ultimately in the hands of our enlightened and impartial judiciary to determine if these two individuals are guilty. (Correct, correct, correct! I did indeed say "enlightened" and "impartial").

In the meantime, I would like to bring everyone's attention to a couple of other sections of the Sedition Act.

Under section 3(1), those acts defined as having a seditious tendency include:

3(1)(d) - to raise discontent or disaffection amongst the subjects of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or of the Ruler of any State or amongst the inhabitants of Malaysia or of any State;
3(1)(e) - to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Malaysia;

It is widely documented that in the days preceding Operasi Lallang in October 1987, Najib Tun Razak then as the head of UMNO Youth, made a speech at a rally in Kampung Baru where he vowed to bathe his keris in the blood of Malaysian Chinese citizens. And this speech was delivered against a background of banners by UMNO Youth saying such things as "MAY 13 HAS BEGUN" and "SOAK IT WITH CHINESE BLOOD".

I would therefore like to invite my fellow Malaysians to join me in a call to the Polis Di-Raja Malaysia and the Attorney General's Chambers to investigate, without fear or favor, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and to determine if he had indeed violated the sections above of the Sedition Act. Given that the event occurred 2 decades ago, there may perhaps be a statute of limitation in effect on whether Najib can be charged, if he had indeed broken the law. Never the less, it is only right that a full and impartial investigation be carried out.

And as a separate matter as to whether Najib ends up being charged or not, it is certainly the case that such a man who can put himself into such a vile context and say such heinous things, should be deemed unfit to become the Prime Minister of a multiracial country like Malaysia."

Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet

-He who feared he would not succeed sat still.

Sunday, 27 April 2008

Azalina grasps some of the problems and exposes them

The Wau Bulan (Moon Kite) of Kelantan

The China made plastic toys of Malacca!

This was reported in the Star,

(Emphasis is mine)

QUOTE: MALACCA: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said wants the nation’s cultural heritage preserved and more handicraft and souvenirs produced.

She said this after her first official visit of Malacca, touring several tourist sites at Bukit Cina, Portuguese Settlement and Jonker Street.

Azalina said the respective state governments and related agencies must be proactive and maintain a balance between modernisation and preservation of heritage.

She cited Malacca as an example where over-emphasis on development and modernisation would only result in the city losing its historical authenticity.

“Malacca is situated between two large cities. Those visiting the historic city come to see its heritage and not because it’s a modern city. They can go to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore for that,” she added.

She also lamented the lack of locally produced handicraft and souvenirs for sale, as almost all the products came from countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and China.

“I suppose we are living up to our slogan of being Truly Asia as one can find handicraft from all other countries being sold here as souvenirs but none of our own,” she added.

She also said that promotion of a particular tourist site must go beyond providing basic facts.

“For example, many foreign tourist use the Web prior to their trips to find out more about their intended destination. Our websites must go beyond just stating the basics but include interesting stories behind its history,” she said.

Azalina also wants tourism campaigns re-evaluated to ensure tourists were not disappointed when they got here.

“When tourists come to Malaysia, they find certain aspects are still lacking. It’s like inviting someone over to your house but certain things in your home such as the toilets or lighting are not working properly,” she said.UNQUOTE

It was also reported that Azalina had observed that work still needed to be done before Malacca city could be a top tourist destination.

She said, according to the NST, that a more balanced approach towards the city's development was needed before it could be successfully chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This was in reference to the upcoming visit of 40 UNESCO delegates who will assess the city for eligibility as a World Heritage Site, next month

Azalina also outlined her suggestions towards improving Malacca:

"The first thing I noticed were the many traffic lights I passed before reaching the city centre on my way to the Portuguese Square’.

"I also did not see any relevant sign boards that led to the settlement. I would be lost if I was alone," she said.

"I strongly feel that the city's planning should have a more logical concept behind it."

"Incommensurate development will result in Malacca losing its identity. Tourists should not feel as if they are in any other city."

She urged the state government to come up with more preservation plans to achieve the 'Destination Malacca' goal.

"Heritage sites and buildings in Malacca should be well depicted and a fund for tourism should be set up."

Malaysia should produce more handicraft, Azalina said, and I have to fully agree with her remarks, Malaysian handicrafts are indeed as rare as hens' teeth in most tourist areas throughout Malaysia, except for those in Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak where traditional good quailty handicraft and other wares are produced and promoted well.

Azalina has, for once, spoken some sense and has hit the nail squarely on the head and, especially as far as Malacca is concerned, she has spotted that a " Tacky Theme Park and Shopping Paradise" is not what the tourists want.

The night market in Jonker Street, Malacca, which is held from 6pm until late on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, is enjoyable and worth a visit, but it could be very much better and much more enjoyable and meaningful if all, or most of the goods on sale were made in Malaysia. The only redeeming feature of the Jonker Street weekend Night Market is the tasty food and other quality refreshments which are available.

As it is, it is sad to say, that there is hardly anything, apart from the food and drink, on sale which originates from Malaysia.

This is a disgraceful situation, the state governments and other relevant authorities apparently have no policy, about giving priority to locally made goods in tourist spots, especially hand crafted wares, fabrics, other handicraft as well as other traditional goods and toys.

Since there is a plethora of junk toys and other cheap and nasty rubbish from China and elsewhere, and handicrafts from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and other South East Asian countries on sale everywhere, this must be the preferred option.

Compare this to the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok Thailand, this enormous Saturday and Sunday Market sells almost anything and almost everything on sale is manufactured in Thailand. The abundant and varied local food and other refreshments available are excellent too. It is well worth a visit.

The Thailand made handicrafts and other local goods on sale are varied, of high quality and are also reasonably priced.

Why does Malaysia not have such a varied range of reasonably priced, high quality handicrafts available offered for sale in places such as the Jonker Street weekend night market?

Perhaps the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) can explain what their role really is, if it is not to promote and encourage the production of local handicraft?

They certainly, based on what is on sale, seem to be resting on their laurels, as they are far less than efficient and much less effective than is required.

The Tourism Minister also correctly pointed out that places of interest are not well signposted, and that there are no proper explanations and information regarding the historic significance of the various historic landmarks and buildings.

In my earlier posts HERE , HERE and HERE I stated that Malacca was not taking the correct path to becoming an approved UNESCO World Heritage Site, now it seems that the Tourism Minister has serious doubts too.

I wonder if this will be the point at which Azalina Othman Said becomes a more logical, sensible and practical politician who works for all Malaysians, instead of continuing to be her usual UMNO-centric self, who seems hell-bent on creating national disunity?

Luceat lux vestra

-Let your light shine

Wednesday, 2 April 2008

Bloggers Universe Malaysia 2008 TOUCHES DOWN ON 1st MAY 2008

One month to go, please mark your diaries

Yes, May Day – Your day, My Day, Our Day, unless thou a tycoon-boss be.

The majority of us are earning bread-and-butter working for others -- It is safe to assume this is the case for 95 percent of Malaysians, yes?

We would happily like to be proven wrong, and if any Bloggers reading this here who are also that rare multi-millionaire Bosses, please contact the BUM2008 Organising Committee pronto!

YES, there is such a committee labouring for weeks now laying the groundwork for BUM2008 to lift off.

In one way or another, celebrating Labour Day worldwide is giving recognition to the dignity of man’s labour, to be appropriately rewarded in remuneration that can provide decent Shelter, Food and Potential Development of the Individual, and a sense of Security and Well-being, especially in a country like Malaysia which is blessed with plentiful natural resources.

Holding this year’s BUM2008 is a double celebration of sorts as it is also working towards an annual initiative to mark World Press Freedom Day, which falls in the poetic month of May.

Next year, to make it three consecutive years, the Alliance of National Bloggers (AllBlogs) ideally would take on the task and challenge of organizing Bum2009.

Bloggers Universe Malaysia

BUM2008

is organized by a group of Bloggers in their individual capacities in association with a relatively young organisation called the Centre for Policy Initiatives.

The BUM2008 Organising Committee comprises the following:

Chairperson:

YL Chong aka Desiderata

Co-Chairperson:

Bernard Khoo aka Zorro

*Treasurer:

Tony Yew

Helen Hoh, Webmaster Ipohlang who also designed the Banner above … Kudos!

Chris Chew aka mob1900 …who is famous for his lampooning posters, and splashed a Poster on Bum2008 that will become collectible!

Howsy, Bum2007 Co-chair who made a last-minute re-appearance on hearing that several APs are being offered as a Lucky draw this year!

Other VIP Members: Liew Hui Mei, Capt Yusof Ahmad, Frances Yee,

Who all seem quite clueless on their functions momentarily