Speaking up and facing the reality
Posted by Kit in 1Malaysia, Brain drain, nation building on Thursday, 26 May 2011, 7:18 pm
Andre Sequerah
The Malaysian Insider
May 26, 2011
MAY 26 — Growing up and studying in a missionary La Salle school in the ‘80s was one of the best experiences ever. In general, boys from all the races mixed together and student populations then were well balanced between all the races.
Yet, even at that time, there were rumblings on the horizon. One of my closest Malay friends, a smart chap, was sent away after lower secondary school to further his studies in a boarding school.
When I went to one of the top engineering universities in the UK, I learnt two things. One was that from the viewpoint of a good friend of mine, a Frenchman, the thought that I had to tick a little box to state that I was under the category of “Others” to state that I was Eurasian was ghastly and hinted of racial prejudice. It was my first realisation of what the word could truly mean as I had never questioned that act before. Read the rest of this entry »
10 Days in May (33)
Posted by Kit in 1Malaysia, Media, Muhyiddin Yassin, Najib Razak on Thursday, 26 May 2011, 6:44 pm
Tweets @limkitsiang:-
Who is greatest threat/wrecker of Najib’s 1Msia concept? No 1 outside. From very bosom of Umno eg its organ UtusanMsia w 1Melayu agnst 1Msia
Utusan’s anti Najib 1Msia campaign has full support from Umno old guards headed by UMNO No.2 Muhyiddin. Is Utusan loyal 2Najib or Muhyiddin?
Wld Utusan dare 2b so irresponsible as 2publish seditious/treasonous Christian Msia bogey if Utusan editor not assured of immunity/impunity?
Who assured Utusan of immunity/impunity 4seditious/treasonous ChristianMsia bogey? Y has Utusan editor thrown all journalstic canons 2winds? Read the rest of this entry »
Abolish race quota for PSD scholarships, says ex-FT education chief
By Boo Su-Lyn | May 26, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
PETALING JAYA, May 26 — A former Federal Territory education director today pressed the Najib administration to abolish the race quota in Public Service Department (PSD) overseas scholarships.
Abas Awang, who is now the PKR education bureau chief, said the government should consider the long-term interest of Malaysia which aims to become a high-income nation by 2020.
Read the rest of this entry »
MMA concerned Lynas plant will wreak harm
Posted by Kit in environment, Health on Thursday, 26 May 2011, 2:53 pm
By Yow Hong Chieh | May 26, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) stepped into the controversy today over Australian miner Lynas’ rare earth plant near Kuantan, expressing “grave concern” that waste products could wreak harm on those living nearby.
The association, representing the country’s 13,000 doctors, stressed that the possible health risks presented by radiation from “extremely toxic” thorium outweighed the economic benefits from the project.
Read the rest of this entry »
DAP: Opposition pressure forced Putrajaya to postpone subsidy cuts
By Clara Chooi | May 26, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — The DAP triumphed today in Putrajaya’s postponement of fuel and gas subsidy cuts, claiming it was largely due to opposition pressure that forced the government to back down.
It however warned that the celebration would likely be short-lived, predicting that the cuts would be imposed after snap elections.
Read the rest of this entry »
Power subsidies: Their mistakes, our liabilities
Malaysiakini Your Say | May 26, 11
‘I doubt anything substantial will come out of the re-negotiation as the IPPs and Umno are sitting on the same side of the table.’
Transparency of IPP contracts ‘long overdue’
Kgen: The lopsided IPP (independent power producer) agreements are the result of Dr Mahathir Mohamad forcing TNB (Tenaga Nasional Bhd) to sign on the dotted line.
Read the rest of this entry »
IPPs: A case of the poor subsiding the rich
Malaysiakini Your Say | May 26, 11
‘Why is it that one minister called it ‘subsidy’ but another minister said it is not. This is ridiculous BN ways at work.’
Chin’s ‘savings, not subsidy’ remark shocks DAP
Onyourtoes: I think both Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin are missing the fundamental issues on IPPs (independent power producers):
Read the rest of this entry »
Make lists of scholarship recipients public
Malaysiakini Vox Populi | May 26, 11
‘Then there will be no arguments as to the veracity of the selection process. Until that is done, there will be quarters that won’t trust nor believe PSD.’
Abolish PSD’s racial quotas, urge NGOs
WangMalaysia: More than 8,800 students getting 9A+. Malaysia has loads of talent! I remember during my time, those getting 8A1 count for less than 30 throughout the country.
Read the rest of this entry »
Longing For A Free Mind (Part 12 of 14)
Posted by Kit in Bakri Musa, Mahathir, Pakatan Rakyat, UMNO on Thursday, 26 May 2011, 11:11 am
Q& A (Cont’d): Pakatan, UMNO, and Mahathir
Q4: Pakatan declared that it will take away Malay special privileges. Why should I vote for that coalition?
A4: Your greatest fear, and reason for not voting Pakatan, is the possible loss of your special privileges. Thanks to the agitations of leaders from the increasingly shrill Mahathir down to the ever-frothing Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali, affirmative action is now an existential issue for Malays.
Read the rest of this entry »
MCA – Heartless, Soulless, Hopeless
Posted by Kit in Brain drain, MCA on Thursday, 26 May 2011, 11:08 am
Tweets exchange:-
limkitsiang – 8.04am
I hope that one day I can return – John Malachi (TMI) http://bit.ly/kbN4sv
limkitsiang – 8.08am
Cry of a Msian – “as I write this in tears 2nite, I hope that 1 day I can return ..2do what I was doing b4 I left” http://bit.ly/kbN4sv
giamsk – 8.10am
Voice of a refugee? So sensational RT @limkitsiang: Cry of a Msian – “as I write this in tears 2nite, I hope that 1 day I can return…
Read the rest of this entry »
I hope that one day I can return
Posted by Kit in Brain drain on Thursday, 26 May 2011, 8:03 am
John Malachi
The Malaysian Insider
May 25, 2011
MAY 25 — I am a Malaysian living abroad. I graduated as a doctor in Australia and went back to Malaysia in the early 1990s. From the first day I started working in Malaysia until the day I left, I have worked all the 15 and a half years of my time in Malaysia in public hospitals, not a single day in private practice.
In the mean time I got married and have two beautiful children. I went through the system, however unfair it was, being posted to hospitals that no one wanted to go to, and being sent on a merry-go-round around the country with two kids and a wife in tow.
I have had many opportunities to leave the public health sector to go into private practice – I was even offered a consultant specialist job in Singapore, but I hung on to the government hospitals, willingly foregoing better opportunity and financial rewards. Read the rest of this entry »
Talking Malay on false premises
Sakmongkol AK47
The Malaysian Insider
May 25, 2011
MAY 25 — Let us demolish one pet belief of Umno people and those who think they speak for Umno. It’s time for the real Malay to speak for the Malay. Where have the real Malays gone?
How can we force ourselves to suffer fools by allowing ourselves to consume the hate spewing writings of some bloggers whose Malay-ness are questionable? Why isn’t the peddler of rancid curry speaking on behalf and for Kimma members? He looks more kitol-ish that the person he castigates as Kitol. Why isn’t the gold nugget seller doing the same? We thank you but no thanks.
Jadi jadi lah kita orang Melayu kena tipu.
I find myself in strange territory listening to people like Reezal Merican, or Azeez speak for the Malays. I would have thought, Malays are better off if these people speak on behalf of KIMMA. I think Malays have got enough talented people to speak for ourselves. Read the rest of this entry »
Why I left for our ‘poorer’ neighbour
Posted by Kit in 1Malaysia, Brain drain, nation building on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 10:35 pm
E
The Malaysian Insider
May 25, 2011
MAY 25 — Contrary to most Malaysians who work overseas, I chose a less popular destination. I have been based in Jakarta for the past year and a bit. Most people look down on Indonesia as the poorer neighbour, much like the way Singapore looks at us. However, after living here, there is much to like, and below are some of the reasons why I prefer life here and do not plan to return anytime soon:
1. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world. However, you will find that most Indonesians are very open about their religion and respectful of the rights of others. Muslims here have no problem with patronising outlets that sell alcohol or non-halal food, even if they choose not to have any. In Malaysia, the Muslims make a big fuss over small things which they claim are not halal. You may argue that there are fanatics here, but the number is small relative to the population. Just look around Malaysia. Everywhere you look, you get fanatics.
2. The work ethic and culture here is better than in KL. People here are less racist. In Malaysia, you identify companies as Bumi companies, Chinamen companies, Indian companies and so on. Here, it is easy to work with people no matter what ethnic group. Again, you may mention the race riots during Suharto’s era, but the problem is practically non-existent in everyday life nowadays. People here respect talent and ability no matter your background, religion and skin colour. Read the rest of this entry »
Yemen: Sanaa sees third day of Hashid clashes
Posted by Kit in Middle East/Africa on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 10:18 pm
BBC
25 May 2011
Clashes between the Hashid tribe and government forces have continued since Monday
Street battles between Yemeni security forces and the country’s most powerful tribal federation are continuing for a third day in the capital, Sanaa.
At least 44 people have died in the clashes, which began after forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh moved against a tribal leader’s compound.
The tribal leader, Sheikh Sadeq al-Ahmar, has joined an uprising against President Saleh’s rule.
On Sunday, the president refused to sign a deal to stand down. Read the rest of this entry »
I am Malaysia
Posted by Kit in nation building on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 6:04 pm
By Zhin | May 25, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
MAY 25 — I choose to stay in Malaysia because I cannot “escape” the Malaysia that is in me. Malaysia is what I make of it, so staying put when everything looks like it is going against my interests has required me to internalise my Malaysian experience rather than hinge on public opinion to see where this “fictional” malaise is taking us. So here is my take on it.
Read the rest of this entry »
Time to stand up and be heard
Posted by Kit in nation building on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 6:00 pm
By CY | May 25, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
MAY 25 — I actually returned to Malaysia after around 18 years overseas in the United Kingdom. I am originally from the peninsula but have now lived in East Malaysia for the last one and a half years.
Malaysia is in some ways still a land that is blessed by God. It is largely free from large scale natural disasters and its land and shores are rich in natural resources. Sabah and Sarawak are filled with wonderful places to visit and its beaches, rainforests and climate bring many visitors from across the globe. Moreover its peoples throughout the federation are mostly incredibly friendly, hospitable and kind-hearted to locals and visitors alike notwithstanding their race or religion.
Read the rest of this entry »
To call or not to call, that is the question
Posted by Kit in Elections, Najib Razak on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 5:57 pm
By Zairil Khir Johari | May 25, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
MAY 25 — The Malaysian political scene is living on frayed nerves right now. Every plan, strategy or decision has to take into account the possibility of an election that may be called at any time.
Even holiday plans cannot be made.
Read the rest of this entry »
10 Days in May (32)
Posted by Kit in Teoh Beng Hock on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 5:23 pm
Tweets @limkitsiang:-
TBH RCI – Does MACC accept this fact instead of wanting 2do a OJSimpson criminal trial http://bit.ly/komu4m Teoh’s death IS abt MACC (TMI)
If TBH RCI cannot restore public confidence in MACC, w Sarbani MACC-fall-from-height death, radical measures needed in anti-corruption fight
Read the rest of this entry »
Minister: Fuel prices to stay, for now
By Kuek Ser Kuang Keng | May 25, 11
Malaysiakini
The government will maintain petrol, diesel and liquified petroluem gas (LPG) prices for now, said Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri.
This was decided by cabinet earlier this morning, said Ismail (left) during a press conference at about 3.45pm today.
Read the rest of this entry »
Muhyiddin is shaping up to be the worst DPM and Umno Deputy President in history – completely no class or standard!
Posted by Kit in DAP, Elections, Muhyiddin Yassin, UMNO on Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 1:34 pm
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is shaping up to be the worst Deputy Prime Minister and Umno Deputy President in history.
I would not yet say that he is destined to be the nation’s worst Education Minister although he is undoubtedly leading the pack in a more competitive field.
I had thought that the “creative conspiracy” by the Defence Minister and Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi where he allegedly “exposes DAP’s plan to name Malay candidates in general election” takes the cake for being the most silly political statement of the year.
But I was wrong, for within 48 hours, Muhyiddin dislodged Zahid in making the silliest political statement of the year! Read the rest of this entry »
