'Any new reclamation they make will further shallow the passage for ships entering the already hardly-navigable strait heading towards Pasir Gudang.'
On Batu Puteh goes to Singapore
Amir Hamzah Amha: Maybe it was too much work to administer Pulau Batu Puteh or the Horsburgh Lighthouse. Maybe it was because there was no obvious substantiation to the rock formation, which has no room for agriculture, meaningful buildings and infrastructure, but the fact remains that Johor regarded the outcrop as useless enough when its state secretary decided to send a letter of disclaimer to the island in 1953.
Although I am a Johorean, I echo the sentiments of the Rector of Kolej Yayasan Melaka, Dr Ramlah Adam that this was a weakness of the then Johor administration. Research was not properly done and the result was that key letter that doomed Malaysia to reluctantly accept a 'New Singapore' by adding a potentially one hundred square kilometres of new territory of which Singapore would now gratefully convert from being underwater land to a spanking reclaimed land.
Singapore already has an utter disregard for Malaysian interests especially in Malaysia's efforts to lead the region in exploring the oil and gas industry which would soon rival their own. The Johor Strait - already a loser in the 'crooked bridge' issue - is now under further jeopardy with this development. Any new reclamation there will further make shallow the passage for ships entering the already hardly navigable strait heading towards the Pasir Gudang port and the surrounding facilities.
I sincerely think that the Johor government, though it was done before Merdeka, should apologise for this loss and find out how can we mitigate this loss.
On Karpal: Was gov't ill-advised?
Abdul Rahman Abdul Talib: I read Karpal Singh’s statement and I could not help but to agree with him. I am sure that the BN government could tell that the strength of the case long before the case was brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). I am very sure that the Malaysian legal team would’ve seen the letter mentioned by Dr Rais Yatim.
‘Rais said the ICJ also considered a letter writen by the Johor acting state secretary on Sept 21, 1953 which stated that the ‘Johor government (did) not claim ownership’ of the island. The letter was in response to an enquiry by Singapore Colonial Secretary seeking to clarify the status of Pulau Batu Puteh where a lighthouse had been built, with a view to determining the "boundaries of the colony’s territorial waters’.
Rule of thumb will tell you that anything in black and white is always legal and binding. It doesn’t take a lawyer to understand that. As such, my feeling is that the Malaysian government should not have brought the case to the ICJ and opted for a third option. For instance, the Malaysian government could award Singapore a 99-year lease without ceasing possession of the island or we could share the island.
What I agree with Karpal is that who is the genius who called for an ICJ solution when it’s in black and white that we’ve ceased possession of the island in? We should’ve opted for other more equitable options. I hope Karpal will not be labeled as unpatriotic or indicted for treason for questioning the Malaysian government on this loss. I think the fact that Karpal questioning BN’s incompetence is an act of patriotism. No one can question Karpal’s spirit of patriotism now.
In fact, I think it’s strange that a party (DAP) which stems from the PAP is voicing their unhappiness to the loss of territory to the Singaporeans. Or is an alternative explanation that the fourth floor boys are trying to appease their Singapore close friends by opting for this course of action? They knew that the Malaysian case was a weak one and by pushing for an ICJ resolution, they know that the island will be ceased in a manner that they cannot be blamed for?
In return, they get rewards from the Singapore in forms that will never be told to the public? Could this be a possible explanation? I don’t know, the entire story doesn’t add up. It’s so easy for us to let go of our territories. To say that our government is too incompetent to know the strength of the case, well, that’s just too farfetched if you ask me. I think definitely something stinks here.
Dorai Dubai: In regards to Karpal’s comment, I fully agree with his statement. We should have considered various factors in term of legal rights, geographical boundaries, as well as historical factors. It not a ‘win-win’ situation at all. We clearly lost the case and Middle Rocks is insignificant anyway. It a bitter lesson for us to learn. In future, we should check our maritime boundaries carefully and practicality on any boundaries issues.
Please be informed that Malaysia is a peninsular surrounded by many islands. To be noted is that Malaysia is rich for marine tourism, like islands of Ligitan and Sipadan in east Malaysia. If we are not careful, we might end up in another legal suit with Indonesia or the Philippines. It all boils down to poor governance.
Garry Khoo: Karpal, please do not angry about it for that is the culture of Umno which still controls the Malaysian government. They won't bother about this tiny island. If they did, they wouldn’t have lost five states in 12th GE. They will never learn their lesson. Let them be. We (the rakyat) are more interested in Pakatan Rakyat’s progress. Do come out with more statements on what PR is planning for the rakyat .
On Cheras saga continues - toll operator vows to rebuild wall
CH Ong: The Selangor state government has repeatedly claimed that the area where the barricade was built - and is going to be rebuilt - is located on state land and that Grand Saga has no legal right to build any structure on this state land. If this really is the case, and since no permission has been given by the land owner (the Selangor state government) to build the barricade on land which it owns, then all that the Selangor state government need to do is to order its enforcement officers to prevent Grand Saga from rebuilding the barricade. If the state government cannot carry out such a simple enforcement procedure then the people presently running this state government really has no business continuing to do so.
Tan Sri Khalid and his whole exco should be ashamed that they are unable to get their enforcement officers to carry out a simple and legitimate enforcement exercise. If there are legitimate reasons preventing the state government from stopping the rebuilding of the barricade, then such reasons should be made public. Otherwise the whole bunch should resign and let someone else take over.
The residents of BMC should not have to risk their lives fighting with Grand Saga who appears to have the riot police solidly behind it. Neither should it be necessary for Narajaya to file a lawsuit against Grand Saga.
Dian Abdullah: Malays in Umno suffer an acute disease called forgetfulness and arrogance. This is the conclusion from none other than Tun Mahathir the old man who still yearns for the glory days. Shahidan and Thamby Chik are daydreaming in the wilderness to think they can get nominated for the vice-presidents posts. They still do not realise the people are not controlled by Tun Mahathir anymore. People like the AG, the police and the judges have to be more careful now that the citizens of Malaysia are not going to allow them to do what they like.
It would be interesting if the powerful could be investigated by the royalty and the opposition. Then I believe all hell will break loose with the many files hidden in cold storage coming to the surface. Or will they be shredded like what some did recently?
On Sabah illegals problem a national problem
John Johnson: it is indeed very appalling to note that there are approximately 1.75 million illegals in Sabah. This goes to show we have to feed another 1.75 million people here in our country more so with the rice and food prices escalating. It is more surprising that some have been given identity cards for the purpose of voting. Blatant misuse of laws and immigration procedures have led us to this unbearable state so much so Sabahans in their own state are the minority.
In my personal experience, I have seen Indonesians coming in at the Port Klang ferry area illegally. I strongly suggest that all illegal immigrants be sent back as we cant even look after our own citizens. This, however, does not refer to the political refugees that are in our country who have a right to remain here. Our law enforcement agencies should buck up and carry out their duties to prevent this rot of illegals from spreading.
Disgusted To The Core: Indeed it is a sad thing for true blue Sabahans. Ten years ago, when I was there in KK, I witnessed a scene amongst three people talking at the roadside. I was there on holiday and what I saw and heard has been bothering me for these many years and has caused me to vote for the Pakatan instead of BN. One of the three was excitedly waving a card which looked like an IC and he was exclaiming that he finally had his blue IC card. The way he spoke definitely revealed that he was not a Sabahan. How do I know? Because I have Sabahan friends. He was telling his friends how easy it was to get the IC card and what to do etc. He was asking them to go and get theirs done quickly and to pay for it.
Well, as someone who has been working amongst the estate workers and the poor, I have had estate Tamil people telling me they could not get theirs done. They had sons and daughters and grandchildren living here in Malaysia. They had tapped rubber for many years and helped the economy to boom with rubber. But they were not given their blue IC no matter how many times they tried.
Ironically, Muslims from other countries and those coming particularly from ‘terrorist communities’ are welcomed and given blue ICs. Something is definitely wrong with our government. It is rotten to the core. Really rotten and unfair and unjust. I encourage the true blue Sabahans to rise up and fight for their rights to live and govern their own country and not give in to the BN agenda. That incident on the roadside has brought disgust to me over our government and their manipulation of politics.
On MB: RM27m spent by BN reps in two months
Pharmwell: Hello, hello, something is definitely wrong here. Don’t you think that something very wrong is happening here? If you ask me, all I will say is that it stinks. I hope the new Selangor state government will probe deeply into this. If any wrongdoings by the BN assembly persons are detected, then they should be reported to the ACA
On Anwar says it again: We have the numbers
Madhaterz: I am happy Pakatan Rakyat will be forming the new federal government in the near future. I do not understand what all the worry is about. Look at the countries around us, they change their governments so very often and most without any incident. Malaysians are now more mature after more than 50 years of independence.
When the five states went to the opposition on March 8, some were worried about that. Today, life goes on in these states. The rakyat go on with their lives as usual. So what is the worry about Pakatan Rakyat forming the new federal government? A change of government every now and then is a sign the democratic process is well and healthy. Change in governments is important to make sure there is check and balance.
I really do not understand why it is such a big deal in our country. Are we living in a totalitarian country that says the ruling government must be Barisan Nasional? Take the five states under the opposition since March 8, has anything terrible happened? So why the 'big' news about the Pakatan Rakyat taking over?
I hope the Pakatan Rakyat will be able to form a new government and if it does I hope it will start a new progressive government of Malaysia that is not based on one's race. A government where every citizen is a Malaysian, period. Where help is given to all who deserve it, regardless of race.
On Sexy school uniforms: PAS wants action
PT Tan: All those calling for thicker material for school uniforms are just generating a lot of not air without understanding the dynamics of our climate. Merely aping the Arab way of life, where clothes are used to insulate the body from the harsh 42 deg C plus heat (versus our body’s 37 deg C) serves a purpose.
Our average temperature of 31 deg C needs cotton cloth to allow ventilation of body heat so that students don’t get a heat stroke. The pinafore as it is, is already too warm. To call for thicker cloth will disastrously wrap our poor students in a heat trap, especially with classes of broken fans, and congested students.
Nor would they ever understand that heat loss through radiation is sigma to the power of four, meaning every two degrees rise results in factor of heat loss of 16 times! Three degrees means 81 times more heat loss - calling for thicker cloth can kill. Calling for more insulation can only come from cold-blooded people with no sense of warmth in their hearts or life.
On Old men still wanna have fun, says Ibrahim Ali
Jane: I want to have fun too. I want to remove this blight on the Malaysian political scene by sealing Ibrahim Ali in a rocket and launching him into the furthest reaches of space. That would be really, really funny. Let's make it absolutely hilarious and give him some company on the journey. I can't think of anyone better than the woman from that Islamic group who effectively excused rapists by putting the blame on supposedly ‘sexy’ school uniforms worn by kids.
Seriously, is this is the quality of Malaysian MPs? It's shocking that these representatives of people use the august house of Parliament to make such outlandish remarks. I really don't know if they actually believe in what they're saying, or whether they're desperate for a few seconds of cheap fame. Do they not realise that it reflects terribly, not just on them, but on Malaysians as a whole. Why are we electing nincompoops?
On MIC pula digesa dekati blog
Rata: I would like to inform that I have visited Putera MIC website a few days ago and I saw that they have already started blogging. I was impressed with their explanation for every situation and or issue happen in Malaysia. They have a chatroom service in their blog. It is a nice political blog. Great start by the Putera MIC team under P Kamalanathan.
On Hishammuddin 'stunned' by Mukhriz demand
MySecret62: It was reported that Hishammuddin Hussein Onn said that ‘Loyalty to the party (Umno) cannot be sold, mocked or used to hold someone to ransom’ when referring to Mukriz's call for the PM to step down. How odd that loyalty to the rakyat has been sold, mocked and held to ransom too by the present ruling coalition.
Sold - the r akyat 's trust , and in some cases even nationality to illegals to shore up their hold on power. Mocked - Malaysians being told to leave our own country if we don’t like what these bigots and tyrants are doing. Ransom - the rakyat 's wish to have a better country with them with holding and canceling federal funding to Pakatan-held states.
There are many more incidences but then who is counting? I'm certainly not as I've totally lost belief that the current (most anyway) BN representatives do not ' wakil ' the rakyat 's interest at heart. You know it, I know it, those that voted them out knew it. They are self-serving, position- grabbing and most of all superficial Malaysians with second homes abroad. Are they really fighting so hard to win back our trust and serve us ? It is an emphatic ‘NO’!
On Residents group ticks off Mohd Khir, don't talk rubbish
Maran: Khir also should ask the Selangor state government to investigate and solve the Kapar land scandal (Kg Perepat Revolusi Hijau) as soon as possible. Does he dare to ask for it? I believe he will not do that because of the former state government’s involvement in the scandal will then come out. I challenge Khir to ask the new Pakatan Selangor government to probe this matter. Will he do that?
On Don't waste time digging up scandals, S'gor gov't told
Ensin: It seems that these words can only be coming out from members of Umno and its crony parties. Is he saying any wrongdoing by them cannot be punished and just has to be forgotten? Allow them to continue to plunder all of the nation’s wealth? Look around. Records have shown the Umno Attorney-General only does selective prosecution. He mostly only prosecutes lower- ranking people. The Umno-led government does not dare to go after the well-know people although most of them are corrupted.
One will say if you dare dig up my scandals, then I will dig up your. So it goes on the cycle of corruption. It can only be eradicated by exposing all present Umno and its cronies. My wish is for Dr M sto tart the ball rolling by exposing all those corrupt Umnoputera's and the other cronies.
