THE MONGOLIAN EFFECT

Altantuya's case seems to be extraordinary tough and 'mysterious' to for many can see until today, the powerful and effective Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDM) is still struggling to handle and to find out the truth behind it. Raja Petra Kamarudin, the most famous blogger in Malaysia was charged with Sedition Act for showing his personal 'act of justice' by sending a post entitled "Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell". Obviously, his effort was not appreciated by the government.

This issue was brought to the Parliament (Dewan Yang Mulia) for debate. Again, Raja Petra was accused by the young YB from Rembau, who claimed that only God (Allah) has the right to perform punishment. Sadly, this smart and capable MP who graduated from Oxford University failed to persuade the opposition again. In contrast to that, he was reprimanded by the them. Anyway, as Malaysians, we should be proud of him. Don't you think so?

That is the voice of the people.

DIPLOMATIC TENSION

Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa (1978 – 2006) was murdered by C-4 explosives or was somehow killed first before her body destroyed with C-4 in October 2006 in a deserted area in forested land near the Subang Dam in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam. The Mongolian lady was clamied to be introduced to Abdul Razak Baginda, a defense analyst from the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre think-tank, under Malaysian famous DPM, Najib Tun Razak, and reportedly began a relationship with him. She then worked as Abdul Razak’s translator on a shady deal he was brokering for the Malaysian government to buy submarines from France. The 'couple' seemed to have travelled to Paris together for the submarine deal.

Some rumours was saying that Altantuya came to come Kuala Lumpur with a cousin in early October 2006 to confront Abdul Razak. Then, she went missing on Oct 19. Her last letter that was uncovered showing that she had been blackmailing Razak. However, it was not clearly stated how she blackmailed him. Abdul Razak and three members of the police force were arrested during the murder investigation. The other two murder suspects (Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30 and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35) had been members of the Unit Tindakan Khas (the Malaysian Police Special Action Force or counter-terrorism unit) and were both assigned to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, who was also the Defence Minister at the that time.

Throughout the investigation, this incident seems to be more complicated when two statutory declarations were made. First evidence was told by Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin , saying that our dearest DPM's wife, Rosmah Mansor, and Acting Colonel Aziz Buyong and his wife, Norhayati, Rosmah’s aide-de-camp, were present at the scene of the murder and Aziz Buyong was the 'chosen' one who placed C4 plastic explosive on Altantuya’s body and blew it up. Aziz was seeking apology from Raja Petra to be published in certain website and newspaper. That's the end of the first new evidence. Soon after that incident, Abdul Razak Baginda's private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, disclosing Najib's links to the murdered Mongolian girl. He said the police omitted information about the 'intimate' relationship between Najib and Mongolian victim Altantuya Shaariibuu in his statement.

According to Bala, Abdul Razak was not directly involve in this case. He also said that all traces of allegations with references to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Altantuya Shaariibuu's murder were erased. On Sunday 6 july, our government police sought help from Interpol to find the brave private investigator who was missing together with his entire family. Balasubramaniam is said to take refuge in a neighbouring country with his wife and children. Well, will Bala be rewarded by keeping the truth as secret forever? On the contrary, will he and his family's life be threatened by telling the truth ? Nobody knows and even if some people know, they won't dare to care. Anyway, as Malaysians, our main concern is that this incident has badly impressed other countries with Malaysia's wonderful image. Hopefully this will not affect the 'intimate' relationship between Malaysia and Mongolia.

That is the voice of the people.

DREAMS of PENANG

All these years, Penangnites are facing traffic congested problem which seems to be a 'Mission Impossible' for the formal state government to get rid of. For many Malaysians like us, 'traffic jam' has become a part of our daily lives and therefore it is no longer a hot issue anymore. Early in the morning, car drivers and motorcyclists are speeding to their different destinations with the hope to avoid heavy traffic but as usual, their great effort is always in vain. However, life will be better for those who are using effective and safe public transport because they can enjoy having fellowship or gathering and even make new friends while waiting for spacious trains which arrive punctually, comfortable buses and taxis with skillful drivers.

However, the new Penang state government had fed up with all these, especially the heavy traffic in the island. Thus, they are trying their best to get help from the federal government to improve the infrastructure by planning many mega projects, such as second bridge, Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) and monorail projects. But now, due to some simple reasons, the sweet dreams of Penang vanished. Even though the federal government claimed that these projects will be deferred, who knows that will become another Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020), 3030, 4040 which we are heading to?

That is the voice of the people.

SAPP

The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) was formed in year 1994. According to the president, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, SAPP was formed because of the urgent need for a state- federal reconciliation in order to bring Sabah into the mainstream of development. Later, the party joined BN in continuing to strive for the rights and benefits of East Malaysians. After the 3/8 political tsunami, although two parlimentary candidates (Sepanggar-Eric Enchin Majimbun, Tawau-Dr. Chua Soon Bui) and four state assembly candidates of the party won in their contested territories, the party's leadership began to voice out their discontentment towards the BN government and rumours arise that this party will withdraw from the coalition of BN. For this reason, the party's leadership is strongly condemned by others, especially many respective BN leaders.

That is the voice of the people.

FUEL CRISIS

As usual, after the General Elections, fuel prices increase again. This issue is no longer a hot topic for the entire nation anymore because it meets our　nation's expectation. If we refer back to the history, perhaps one would say this has become the trend of BN government after every General Elections. However, things that matter to us right now is the government's credibility. Before PM Abdullah announced the petrol hikes starting from the 5th of June, Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Sharir did promise that the government will not increase petrol price but within the following 24 hours, BN government proudly presented a wonderful gift to the whole nation, which created an unforgettable sweet memory (nightmare) to all the fellow workers of petrol station in Malaysia.

June 12 midnight........
1.Petrol ( RM1.92 ......... RM 2.70 )
2.Diesel ( RM1.58 ......... RM 2.58 )

For many people, especially economists, it's reasonable that government increases the fuel prices due to the petrol hikes in its world market. However, as oil exporter, isn't it improper to make such a disaster all of a sudden ? After comparing with other countries (especially oil consumer like USA), many feel that it is ridiculous to increase our burden as Malaysian in this way. The opposition started to voice out their dissatisfaction and they began to question on this matter through different methods. Why is it that there　is no earlier announcement made to inform the public regarding this plan? Why the government does not take this step by step? The explanation given by government was made clear and simple, 'We have to follow the global petrol market, if the government will suffer great loss if we continue to provide subsidy for petrol price.' As everyone knows, once the fuel price increases, price for everything will also increase. Nowadays, many unethical business fellows will take advantage to find trouble with our wallets. However, the BN government is smart enough to handle this by employing 2000 unemployed graduates to perform 'spot check' in order to ensure that those people don't over-increase price of goods such asrices, salt and etc. This shows that the government does care for civilians' needs and welfare. Thus, be proud for being a Malaysian !

Example-

1 packet of flour (1kg) = 5.00(before) 5.20(after)

Then, the packet of flour is used for the following:

1 plate of fried mee 3.50(before)3.70(after)

1 piece of cake 0.50(before)0.60(after)

Can anyone recall the joke made by our respective DPM a few years ago when the same scenario happened? It　was indeed　very comforting for everyone, because this indicates that poor people will be the smartest group in Malaysia.

'Maybe this will make help consumers to be wiser in purchasing things that are needed only, instead of spending thrift unnecessarily.'

That is the voice of the people.

THE SECRET 'SNOOP SQUAD'

Many were shocked to hear rumour that the MCA leaders set up a secret 'snoop squad' to pry into the private affairs of his rivals within the party. The great party then formed a just and effective panel to investigate allegations on its respected president, Ong Ka Ting, who was accused to employ spies to pull down anyone who might challenge his position, including the former health minister who was caught in a video sex scandal. Although Ong denied the allegation before gaining support from several officials and panel, someone still claimed that this snoop squad did exist.

One of the victims, Dr Chua Soi Lek, the formal health minister and vice president of MCA also believes that his sex video scandal was orchestrated by spies in this squad. Generally, everyone will be interested in getting this life job if it does exist and there are more vacancies, with the salary of RM 10000 a month and a cool title, 'MCASA' (Malaysian Chinese Association Special Agent). Anyway, this matter has greatly caused many of the MCA members to lose confidence to the leadership of their party, and for the Chinese community, they also begin to question on MCA's effort in striving for their rights and benefits.　

That is the voice of the people.

THE WIVES' CLUB

After the 12th General Elections, many ridiculous secrets are going to be made known one by one. The BN Wives' Club,　the　so-called 'charity association' in the new PR states were dissolved immediately before the oppositions take over the new state governments. However, their charity funds seems to be 'gone with the tsunami' after the election. While these respective BN assemblymen's wives were asked to provide rational reason for their weird decision, they were so naive by just telling the whole　nation that the money were given back to all the members. In this case, seems like they have forgotten that their funds were somehow provided by the government. It　is sad to say that no further news were heard from the powerful Anti Corruption Agency(ACA) under the Prime Minister's department. Anyway, the public would still want to find out reasons behind this.　

That is the voice of the people.

PROJEK KHINZIR RAKSASA

It　is believed that every Malaysian will be surprised by this name. Maybe some people might feel that　is pretty funny, but certainly I　am not one of them. As everyone knows, after the 8/3 political tsunami in Malaysia, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People's Justice Party) had become the biggest opposition party in Malaysia, along with the leadership of its Advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

When the Menteri Besar of Selangor Khalid Ibrahim brought out the idea of transferring the pig farm which concerns the Chinese community, there was a BN MP　who mentioned something that he himself thought that was humorous enough to insult the PKR MPs. His behaviour was strong enough in provoking the entire nation, including non-PKR members. Yes. He is the first son-in-law of the country, our beloved MP from Rembau. All the while, we can see his great effort of proving his ability to be an outstanding and capable politician, not just the noble son-in-law of PM. However, through this incident, obviously he failed to gain respect from us again. At the same time, this poor young YB also successfully embarrassed the entire BN government.

That is the voice of the people.