Toll concessionaires - our highway robber barons
It might be worth noting here that the robber barons of medieval Europe had a philanthropic side to them but sadly our toll concessionaires apparently lack this.
On Thousands at toll hike protest
RM: We hear that BN politicians have been canvassing the public for funds for the flood victims. We think that this is, to put it bluntly, a cruel and cynical joke.
The highway toll concessionaires are making obscene profits as a result of the lopsided agreements made with them by the over generous minister of public works - over generous with the taxpayer's money, I hasten to add. Therefore, the concessionaires should jointly underwrite all the expenses incurred in the rehabilitation of all the flood victims.
It might be worth noting here that the robber barons of medieval Europe had a philanthropic side to them but sadly our toll concessionaires apparently lack this. Which is why, perhaps, some of my friends refer to them as highway robbers.
LS Kong: The Subang police should be commended for the exemplary and professional way they handled the anti-toll hike demonstration. Unfortunately for the demonstration organisers, their performance was out-shone by the police. If the media was given a free hand to report on this event, I'm sure the police's restraint, instead of the demonstration itself, will capture the headlines.
After all, to the bystanders this is just another demonstration - slogans, banners and flag-waving. The Subang police have demonstrated that it is indeed possible to keep peace without resorting to using unnecessary violence on ordinary citizens, and that our police force is clearly more than capable to achieve that. The deployment of female FRU officers to the frontline was particularly a stroke of genius. Well done!
Anguished: More frequent demos must be held to force the government to listen to the people. With the ever increasing cost of living, families are facing difficulties to make ends meet. I know of families quarreling for not having enough to maintain their standard of living.
If the government is concern of the plight of the rakyat, then for goodness sake do something right away. Why is the PM keeping quiet on important issues? Come on, we gave you the biggest mandate ever. You have not only failed us but lied to us.
The pain of the people will remain and time will come to prove the rakyat's ability to throw out the rotten BN.
On Article torn out of 'Economist'
HL Too: The Internal Security Ministry's censorship of the articles in the Economist is not surprising. The Malaysian government has always acted as the Big Brother (shades of George Orwell). The heavy hand of the Malaysian censors can be seen everyday. We are reminded of this every time we read our daily newspapers. In magazines, we often encounter pictures being defaced with black ink.
Even pictures of the famous sculpture of David by Michelango would be censored. I have seen magazines such as Time or Newsweek with David's genitals strategically blackened with ink. Pictures of oil paintings showing women's breast have also been treated in the same fashion. Even pictures of Hindu holy men bathing in the River Ganges have not been spared by our censor's black marker pen. One could be forgiven for believing that Malaysian women would go into throes of sexual frenzy and ecstasy upon seeing the genitals of old Hindu men.
According to the Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow, the government is responsible for ensuring that imported publications are suitable for local consumption. Obviously, Malaysians are like little children. We have to ask Big Brother whether something is suitable for our consumption. Watching the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno", can sometimes be frustrating because the punch lines can sometimes be censored. If sexy pictures are not permitted, political jokes are even worse.
We often see warnings about "Viewer discretion is advised". In Malaysia, the television should show warnings about "Viewer's government discretion" instead. Malaysians still need to grow up.
Vijay: I refer to the report that said that Malaysian censors blacked out portions of a recent Economist issue because they were deemed unhealthy and no doubt would "confuse certain people and weaken their faith". I believe that the whole thing is a triple loop, manipulated by some clever officer in the Censorship Board to do the reverse - draw bigger attention to the two articles in question.
Following the action by the censors, it became an issue covered in The Sun and malaysiakini and naturally led everyone to wonder what the devil was going on. Thus I got to read the two items which otherwise I would never have even heard about.
I strongly feel that the censors should continue their 'censoring' attitude, then more people would hear of such articles. For those interested in going the way of the dark forces, just click here and here .
On Huge mandate: 'Pak Lah may not have it again'
Bob: I used to hold Dr M with high regard for exposing Soros for his role in the Asian financial crisis, but recently he has changed his tuned completely. Now he is attacking the ruling prime minister and alienating himself from the establishment, including those he appointed to office. Will he changed his tune later?
It appears that he was opening his mouth to the country's detriment during the Asian financial and now to his own disrepute and detriment. He is proving true George Soros' allegation that he was a "menace" to Malaysia.
Such a learned man like him should have taken a lesson from the old adage that "if a fish keep its mouth shut, it would not be caught". Truly, a sad case... maybe losing a libel case forcing him to pay millions may teach him a final lesson.
On Constitution meant to be secular, court hears
Thomas C: We were told in July last year that the Lina Joy judgment would be delivered quickly and without undue delay, based upon the importance of this case. It is now January and nothing has been released.
I cannot imagine this is anything but a political decision and unless public pressure mounts and the case remains in the public eye, it will be quietly reported following the general election.
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