October 31, 2012 Sorry, the Vacancy has been filled by R. Nadeswaran (10-28-12)@ www.thesundaily.my Last Monday, our columnist applied for a "dream job" with the Customs Department after discovering there are fool-proof measures to raise money for charitable causes. A week later, since he did not get nor expected a reply, he decided to pen a reply (purportedly) from the department. Dear R. Nadeswaran I have been directed to reply to your application. First, we would like to thank you for showing interest in our department and the happenings within. However, we regret to inform you that the vacancy had been filled long before we received your application. To be honest, it is the policy of this department to fill such "exciting" vacancies which involve procurement and money with internal promotions and as a matter of fact, such positions are reserved for officers from the inner sanctum. Perhaps, you will read about the heroics of such officers in

PAS has called on members of the public to ignore traffic fines issued through the automated traffic enforcement system (AES) on grounds that the system is unjust and will benefit crony companies. PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar told a press conference today that the call is limited only to summonses issued under the AES and not for regular traffic police summonses.  Mahfuz, who heads pressure group campaigning against the abolishment of postal summonses for traffic offences, called Kase, added that the AES system would become a burden to the people.  He said Kase was readying 100 lawyers to help those who have been penalised through AES. Summonses issued under wrong section of Act "The federal government should declare void all summonses issued since Oct 13.  "If the government refuses to do so, I urge those who receive the AES summonses to not pay the fine, which amounts RM300 (each).  "Follow the instructions on the summons notice and go to court. Kase will

October 31, 2012 Koon Swan honored for Contributions to Politics and Business by Teoh El Sen@ www.freemalaysiatoday.com Former MCA Chief Tan Koon Swan will be awarded a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his contributions to politics and business at the 4th World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF) next month, announced MCA President Dr Chua Soi Lek today. Tan will be among seven others to be conferred the award at WCEF which will be held in Melbourne, Australia starting November 12. Congratulating Tan, Chua said:"It is time for what we call redemption. He has gone through a very difficult time and he deserves the award. The prosecutor in his case has admitted to being wrong and has exonerated him… time has proven that he (Tan) is innocent." Chua added that it was high time that Tan, who he described as a "well-known corporate figure", have his hard work and contributions recognised. The Singapore Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) in 1985 slapped

Sometime back, I figured that I would say "I told you so" over the AES (Automated Enforcement System) issue that most Barisan Nasional MPs would certainly scream about then making a U-turn later on. When it was mooted in about 1-2 years ago many of them, without thinking deep further except from the nutshell  / surface would scream yes and gave the one common answer of why the need of having AES. And then when the negative buzz over the system goes over and over the top, those politicians, whose mouth is faster than the brain would then say - stop the press / hold the implementation. When Khairy Jamaluddin and Bung Mokhtar started coming out - from their own turf to say that AES should be put on hold, I knew that these bunch of people have already eaten a half-baked cake and made a bad mistake. Many have said that the system was too rushed, and there's a perception of how hidden costs or the timetable of implementation as well as how the government brushes

October 31, 2012 A Case for Academic Autonomy in Malaysian Universities by Azmi  Sharom@ www.thestar.com There is a growing obsession with form over substance and nowhere is this more evident than in the unhealthy interest taken with university rankings. THIS month marks the 22nd year I have worked as an academic.In that time, I have seen many changes in the university. There have been, of course, some improvements since those early days. For one thing, technology has transformed things for the better. Let's take a trip down memory lane. The very first publication I wrote went through this rather painful process. First, I had to go to the library and find the relevant cases and journal articles. Then having taken copious notes, I went back to my office where I proceeded to write out my thoughts with an ancient device known as a pen. Having completed this task, I would send my scratching to a lovely lady in the general office downstairs whose job title was "sten

Barisan Nasional (BN) has LOST another leader from Sabah. Balanting Erom,  brother-in-law  to Salleh Tun Said, Sabah State Assembly Speaker has just handed his Application Form to join KEADILAN at Kampung Raganan, Tuaran. It looks like PM Najib will once again have to make a 'sudden' trip to Sabah, to convince the Sabahans that everything is fine and his UMNO/BN has the confidence of the Sabahans. What 'special goodies' is PM Najib going to offer the Sabahans this time?  source: Tun_Telanai Read More @ Source More » Barisan Nasional (BN) | Pakatan Rakyat (PR) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

October 31, 2012 Sorry, the Vacancy has been filled by R. Nadeswaran (10-28-12)@ www.thesundaily.my Last Monday, our columnist applied for a "dream job" with the Customs Department after discovering there are fool-proof measures to raise money for charitable causes. A week later, since he did not get nor expected a reply, he decided to pen a reply (purportedly) from the department. Dear R. Nadeswaran I have been directed to reply to your application. First, we would like to thank you for showing interest in our department and the happenings within. However, we regret to inform you that the vacancy had been filled long before we received your application. To be honest, it is the policy of this department to fill such "exciting" vacancies which involve procurement and money with internal promotions and as a matter of fact, such positions are reserved for officers from the inner sanctum. Perhaps, you will read about the heroics of such officers in

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — The Education Ministry today assured that implementation of the School-Based Assessment (PBS) will be fair, especially in placement of students at boarding schools. Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong ( picture ) said the ministry would ensure quality of the students would be maintained while the syllabus was not too examination oriented, despite the PBS replacing the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Peperiksaan Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations. "Under PBS, the students will be assessed based on four components, namely assessement by the school, central assessment, sports, physical and co-curriculum assssment and psychometric assessment," he said when replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Lilah Yasin (BN-Jempol) at Dewan Rakyat today. Wee added that the the Malaysia Examination Board would also monitor questionaire standards and quality of marking by teachers. Teachers are also required to follow th

KASE is seeking a explanation from the Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha dan Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) Director with regards to the AES Concessionaires being allowed to use the JPJ symbol or logo in their Company private vehicles, such as shown above.. Legal Advisor for KASE, Zulhazmi Shariff claim, from the information gather from a source, , Syarikat Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd and ATES Sdn Bhd have been "granted" to use the JPJ logo on their 4-wheel drive Toyota Fortuner although they are not government or JPJ owned vehicles. "What is happening is that, from information received by us, ATES and Beta Tegap have used the same colour as the JPJ vehicle, are using JPJ logo and below with the word "Automated Enforcement System' when these vehicles are not government properties. Will the Transport Minister or JPJ Director care to explain? source : Addin Read More @ Source More » Barisan Nasional

October 30, 2012 My Friend Syed Nadzri: The Last of the Malaysian Newspaper Mohicans Source: http://uppercaise.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/syed-nadzri-bids-farewell-to-balai-berita/ Syed Nadzri Syed Harun, Group Editor of the New Straits Times , said farewell to the editorial staff this evening, at a sombre tea party on the 2nd Floor. His impending departure had been talked about for the past month and word was that he would be taking up a directorship at a large corporation, but for the moment that is just shop talk. The newsroom focus is more about who might replace him: next in rank is Managing Editor Nuraina Samad. For the past year, however, it has been Group Managing Editor Jalil Hamid, former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, who has been calling the shots in the newsroom, as Ahmad Talib did before him and occasionally still does. Syed Nadzri's departure comes against a backdrop of constant sniping from pro-UMNO bloggers, especially those allied to Mahath

The MCA boss responds to a report on how a substantial number of people had left a party dinner early. FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek has dismissed speculations of dwindling  support from the Chinese community following a news report of an "exodus" at a recent MCA dinner. He pointed out that there were thousands who willingly attended the Saturday event despite bad weather and many had stayed on. "Certain media was just playing it up. The event started late and the  fact that so many came and paid for tickets means they are supporting us. "How do you explain the rest of the crowd that stayed on despite the rain?" he said during a press conference here. "The chairs, tables, and even plates were wet because of the rain," he added. China Press yesterday reported that some 20 percent of the 15,000 people at the MCA dinner called "Stability Above Chaos" in Johor left earlier. Organise

Kajang prison authorities say that since the family have lodged a police report on the death of an inmate, they will leave it to the police. PETALING JAYA: The Kajang prison authorities have passed the buck to the police on the death of an inmate at its facility. Yesterday, the family of R Kumar Rajah, 27, alleged that he died in his cell on Oct 29, after the prison authorities failed to provide medical assistance for his stomach ache. A prison spokesman said they have left it to the police to investigate as a police report has been lodged by the family. "Comments on this case will be by the Prisons Department. We will leave it to them to comment and clarify the matter," he said when contacted by FMT today. The family with the assistance of Lawyers for Liberty want a post-mortem conducted on the inmate's body, which is kept at the Kajang Hospital. They have alleged that the prison authorities, police, the hospital and the magistrate, in charg

The Islamic Fashion Festival has turn to be "controversy" with certain participants attire being "unislamic". Is the Islamic Fashion Festival also spearhead for CHANGE???????? source : AmenoWorld Read More @ Source More » Barisan Nasional (BN) | Pakatan Rakyat (PR) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治

Hantu Laut Interesting! I have always joked with my close Chinese friends that I think Chinese are one of the most racist people around. Some agree with me, but than they are my close friends, where jokes are taken light-heartedly. Yesterday, I arrived KLIA from KK and my wife from Phnom Penh, after visiting our daughter and grandchildren there.My wife's plane arrived 20 minutes earlier but she said she would wait for me so we can take the same taxi to our hotel. I bought a ticket for a limousine at the airport. More often than not, most limousines that I can remember taking before have had Malay drivers, but for today, we have a Chinese driver. On our way to the city I noticed the driver constantly talking in Chinese to his friend over the VHF radio. Half way to the city it started to rain heavily and my wife started talking to the taxi driver in Cantonese. There was a moment of silence and a slow response from the driver and I can't help noticing that blood have

Genneva's accounts and assets were frozen after it was raided by BNM and other agencies. — File pic KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 ― Putrajaya believes investors may have pumped up to RM10 billion into the gold trading scheme under Genneva Malaysia, which was recently raided by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said today. "The information that I have is that there [are] 35,000 investors that can be detected, but the total investment can reach RM10 billion," the deputy finance minister told Parliament during Question Time today. Awang Adek previously told Parliament that Genneva Malaysia's liabilities exceeded its assets, indicating and that the company was unable to pay returns to its investors. Genneva's bank accounts and other assets have been frozen by BNM since October 1, following suspicion that the company allegedly breached several banking and financial laws such as illegal deposit-taking, money laundering, tax evasion

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 ― Former MCA president Tan Koon Swan will be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fourth World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF) next month. Tan will be among eight recipients set to accept the award at the event that will be held in Melbourne, Australia starting November 12. Announcing this today, current MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek also congratulated Tan in a press conference. "It's time for what we call redemption. He has gone through a difficult period and I think he deserves (the award)," Chua said. In 1985, the high-flying Tan fell from grace when he was jailed two years and fined S$ 1 million (RM2.5 million at current rates) after being charged on 15 counts that included share manipulation and criminal breach of trust (CBT) in what became known as the Pan-El scandal. He quit MCA soon after. But he recently found some solace when Glenn Knight, the former Singapore prosecutor that won the conviction ag

  klik Anwar Dengan Najib Antara Karektor Dengan Reputasi? Seronok tengok telatah dua orang pemimpin ini. Sorang Perdana Menteri dan sorangl agi Ketua Pembangkang. Pertembungan yang menarik antara dua personaliti. Sorang ada karektor dan sorang lagi ada reputasi.   Anwar Ibrahim sebagaimana yang satu dunia sudah tahu adalah merupakan seorang tokoh politik yang hebat. Kelicikkannya berpolitik dan kepetahannya berpidato memang tidak boleh di sangkal lagi. Sudah terkenal di seantero dunia.    Anwar ni… Kalau nak cerita pasal reputasi… Reputasi apa yang dia ada.  Berbelas tahun media arus perdana hentam dia. Main bontotlah, main bini oranglah, main pelacurlah, agenYahudilah dan bermacam-macam lagi tuduhan yang di buat keatas beliau. Hampir setiap hari. Untuk membina persepsi yang beliau ini sangat tidak bermoral. Macamlah yang lain-lain tu bermoral sangat. Lagi pun, dalam persekitaran sekular, yakni sebuah gagasan kehidupan yang meminggirkan ag