Please take a moment to send a thoughtful holiday wish to Pope Benedict. In a time when the entire world is looking for truth and peace, and the demands on the church leadership is greater than ever, we must be mindful to support our bishops with our prayers and encouragement. Prepare your message, we will see that it is delivered before Christmas.
Send Christmas Card to Pope HERE
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — I am one of the privileged few to have attended a local public university and learned the meaning of hate, thanks to the ever popular Biro Tata Negara.
All undergraduates were forced to attend this programme or else they would not be eligible for graduation.
Muhyiddin has defended the BTN courses. — File pic
The BTN under the Prime Minister’s Department brought in “intellectual” speakers who were supposed to enlighten the students about the meaning of being a Malaysian but instead it felt more like a communist propaganda camp brainwashing those attending about the importance of “Ketuanan Melayu”.
The lecturer even failed one of his students in his oral exam when he quoted a Western scholar in his presentation.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves. You are a Muslim and should only use Islamic scholars,” he scolded the student.
I was personally saddened when my Islamic law lecturer compared Christianity to Head & Shoulder’s 3 in 1 shampoo in referring to the religion’s Holy Trinity.
I feel that racism has been institutionalised in our country and that BTN is only the tip of the iceberg.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin defended BTN yesterday and claimed that it was not racist but is in line with the 1 Malaysia concept.
I have to humbly disagree and would like to suggest maybe the ministers should bring their overseas children home and let them have a taste of what BTN is.
READ MORE HERE – The Malaysian Insider
WRITTEN BY Columnist KOON YEW YIN
We certainly do not need more contractors - we must ensure that our resources are put into creating value to industry and economy, not creating layers after layers of profits being hived off.
Producing competitive Bumiputera contractors
As reported on May 1, 2005, Malaysia had one contractor for every 614 persons. Most likely there are more contractors by now. This ratio is again likely to be amongst the highest in the world and is obviously costing the public a significant amount of money besides affecting our overall economic performance.
I would like to pose a few questions which may appear unkind or insensitive but nonetheless need to be asked.
Out of hundreds of high-rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur does anyone know of any Bumiputera contractor who has won any of the building contracts through an open competitive tender process? Out of hundreds of kilometers of highway in Malaysia, can any Bumiputera contractor who won any part of the highway contracts through open tender be identified?
The answer to the above questions unfortunately is in the negative. The evidence is that all the government’s well-intentioned efforts in trying to produce competitive Bumiputera contractors since 1957 have failed.
Why this has happened needs to be openly discussed rather than swept under the carpet. In this note, I share my experiences as a contractor and my knowledge of why Bumiputera contractors have failed in the past and what needs to be done by the government to correct this unhealthy situation.
To register as a Class F contractor one has only to show that he has RM5,000. He does not even require a pass in Lower Certificate of Education (LCE). But it will take at least 10 years to learn how to overcome all the inherent difficulties and become competitive and efficient. Continuously giving out lucrative and over-priced contracts without open tenders will only make the recipients less competitive.
Secondly, studies have shown that there are more failures and bankruptcies in contracting than in any other business, and also almost all construction projects are NOT completed within the original scheduled time.
The delay will cost the contractor more and that is why you can often see uncompleted buildings and abandoned projects which have been undertaken by inefficient contractors. There are many reasons for this peculiar phenomenon.
Note on the Author
I am a 76-year-old chartered civil engineer and one of the founders of the three larger construction companies listed in Bursa Malaysia. These are Gamuda Bhd, Mudajaya Group Bhd, and IJM Corporation Bhd.
I was a member of the Board of Engineers, Malaysia for three terms. I was also on the Sirim Board responsible in writing the Malaysian standard specifications for cement and concrete. In addition, I was the Secretary General of Master Builders Association, Malaysia for nine years.
These days, I am completely retired. My intention in writing this article is honourable. Many people may not like reading what I have written and the truth may be difficult to accept. Nevertheless, this is my considered analysis for the benefit of my country, the Bumiputera contractors and the construction industry.
READ MORE HERE at Centre For Policy Initiatives
MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo yesterday conferred boxing hero Manny Pacquiao the Order of the Sikatuna, Rank of Datu, for winning a record seventh title in seven different weight divisions.
The award was the highest honor that can be given to a civilian under the law.
Pacquaio scored a 12th round TKO over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto to capture the WBO welterweight crown at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas last Saturday for his seventh crown.
The Chief Executive led the rites at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila instead of Malacañang where these types of events usually take place.
READ MORE HERE
Blood sport
The face of Miguel Cotto shows the effect of the punches of Manny Pacquiao.
Jae C. Hong - Associated Press
Taking it on the chin
Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, right, reaches with a left at Miguel Cotto, of Puerto Rico, during their WBO welterweight boxing title fight Saturday in Las Vegas.
Jae C. Hong - Associated Press
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (C) poses for a photo with promoter Bob Arum (L) and trainer Freddie Roach after defeating Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in a WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada today - Reuters pic
Las Vegas Saturday 14th Nov. Manny Pacquiao enhanced his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world with a commanding win over holder Miguel Cotto to claim the WBO welterweight title today.
The Filipino southpaw stopped his opponent 55 seconds into the 12th and final round to win a seventh world title in an unprecedented seventh weight class.
Pacquiao twice knocked the Puerto Rican to the canvas in the earlier rounds at the MGM Grand Garden Arena before referee Kenny Bayless ended the fight after Pacquiao had pummelled his opponent with a flurry of combinations against the ropes.
READ MORE HERE
Round by Round coverage Here
Watch Video from HERE
A young Muslim writer named Randa Ghazy (right) has written an article entitled, “I, a Muslim, Defend the Crucifix,” in which she expresses her opposition to a ruling by the EU Human Rights Court that ordered all crucifixes be taken down in classrooms across Italy. The article will appear in the December edition of the magazine Mondo e Missione, a publication of the Pontifical Institute Missioni Estere.
“One of the most beautiful memories of my childhood and adolescence was of Father Bruno,” she writes. “I would often go to the oratory with my little brother and the sisters would treat us with great kindness and care.”
Ghazy recalls as well that “Father Bruno made us truly laugh. When it was time for Mass, my brother and I would run off to play ping pong and eat candy. Every day Father Bruno would ask us to stay with the other kids who were there in the church, which we embarrassingly declined to do.”
“One day, Father said to us, ‘Why don’t you come and say your prayers?’ And so we did. During Mass my brother and I slowly recited prayers from the Koran. So the crucifix, all the different kinds that I remember (from grade school to college) was always a symbol of security for me, a projection of the greatness of the heart of Christ, and in some way, of Father Bruno.”
For this reason, Ghazy says, “I support and encourage every possible debate between Muslim and Christian citizens, all discussion about the secularity of the State, but with respect for the great models of humility that each one can find in his past and his experiences.”
“I turn off the television so I don’t see the continuous verbal assaults, I remember Father Bruno and I smile, thinking about those two little Muslims who looked at each other in that beautiful church. I almost feel nostalgia for the 90s,” she writes.
The young Muslim writer was born in 1987 in the Italian region of Lombardy to Egyptian parents. She has written three books, the first when she was only 15, entitled, “Dreaming of Palestine.” The book is about the friendship shared by a group of young people in the occupied territories.
Her second book, “Bloody Trial,” was published in 2005. In 2007 she wrote, “Today I'm Not Going to Kill Anyone: Short Stories of a Young Muslim Who is Not a Terrorist.”
KUALA LUMPUR: A news portal had earlier reported that Malaysia’s weekly Catholic newspaper has lost its publishing permit for next year amid a long-running dispute over its use of the word "Allah", the editor said Thursday.
By Joseph Bingkasan
KINABALU: After being side-lined by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) from the party’s Sabah liaison committee, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is mulling to proceed with his plans to form a new Sabah-based political party.
Sources said Jeffrey is considering to submit his application to the Registrar of Societies to register his party – One Nation Party (Parti Satu Negara, Paati Iso Pogun) or join a Sabah-based opposition party.
Among Jeffrey’s senior aides in preparing for the formation of the new party are former Sabah PKR deputy chief Daniel John Jambun and Mozes Iking, a lawyer who contested and lost to Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in Tambunan in the last general elections.
READ MORE HERE
Nur Amalina had held briefly the record of the most A's scored in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia. Upon the announcement of results of SPM 2004 on 26 March 2005, she received 17 1As - a record for number of A's received by a student in the history of Malaysian education back then. She was sponsored by Bank Negara Malaysia to study medicine in the United Kingdom, and did her A-levels at the Cheltenham Ladies College in the UK.
Now Malaysia Push Factors was informed that she had failed her second year medical study at the University of Edinburgh.
What went wrong? Could English language be the problem? We are going back to Malay medium again and that means trouble.
If the students score an exemplary number of distinctions (A's in Malaysia) in a public exam, they are considered the pinnacle of what the Country's education system is capable of producing. They are expected to go through tertiary education anywhere in the world with flushing success. So what could possibly have happened if they fail abroad?
READ MORE HERE
“This was in America. How about Malaysia?!!!! What has become of Malaysia??? Can we apply the same prayer for Malaysia?” - Idrus al-Haj.
The Pastor’s Prayer that shook the World.
When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot anti-abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it
freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"
The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.
In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.
The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea.
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.
With God's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and whole-heartedly become our desire so that we again can be called: "1Nation under God."
If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends. "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything."
Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your e-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world.
How many people in your address book will not receive this prayer ... do you have the guts to pass it on?
How much power do we have?
If that is the case why do we have power failures? These figures indicate we have enough supply at the moment?
Do we need a coal-fired power plant?
Let’s talk about renewable energies such as using palm oil empty fruit bunches, why can’t we just use this for a power source, after all Sabah is the number one producer of Malaysian palm oil?
Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) who owns 80% of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd has repeatedly stated that they make no money from Sabah and that Sabah is part of their Social Corporate Responsibility, so why not let SESB and Sabah proceed with hydro and gas which Sabah has ample resources off? Maybe Sabah should work on certain areas being off the?
RM500 million was spent to do the Sabah grid which was completed in 2007. The head of TNB, Leo Moggie has stated that once the Sabah grid was completed Sabah would not have power problems. And now, he says once Sabah has a coal-fired power plant, Sabah will have no power problems…
The current identified location of the coal-fired plant is to the East of Lahad Datu township on the Dent Peninsula.
Five NGOs in Sabah cement anti-coal lobby efforts
Joe Fernandez reported that five leading NGOs came together to form a coalition called Green Surf, or Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future to help present positive ideas and contributions to solve Sabah's energy woes.
“They are Leap (Land Empowerment People and Animals), Pacos Trust (Partners of Community Organisations), Sepa (Sabah Environment Protection Association), the Malaysian Nature Society Sabah Branch, and the WWF-Malaysia (Worldwide Fund for Nature), Sabah chapter.”
Effects of Coal Burning
The world is investing too much cash and hope in carbon capture and storage.
"FACTORIES of death" is how James Hansen, a crusading American scientist, describes power stations that burn coal. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels, producing twice the carbon dioxide that natural gas does when it is burned. That makes it a big cause of global warming.
WWF objects coal-fired power plant
Meanwhile, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia will object to the setting up of a coal-fired power plant no matter where the location is in Sabah.
The organisation's first public statement on the issue was made by WWF Malaysia Borneo Programme Director, Dr Rahimatsah Amat, at a luncheon with the media in Centre Point Sabah, Tuesday, 16th June, 2009.
"As far as coal is concerned, our (WWF-Malaysia) stand is clearÉthere should be no coal-fired power plant in Sabah," he said.
Sign your Petition HERE
He has the finger on the pulse of Sabah politics and he knows the issues close to the heart of Sabahans. But Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has also been called many things: a maverick, the man who party hops, an eccentric. ROY GOH talks to the man about his plans, now that he has resigned as Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president
In Sabah politics, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is very well known, though most of the time for the wrong reasons. He pulled yet another surprise recently by resigning as vice-president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat. He has left everyone guessing.
Jeffrey, who had joined four political parties in the past and was once held under the Internal Security Act, remains an ordinary member of PKR. He has, however, burned his bridges with the party. None of the options he has hinted at involved staying on in it.
Kitingan may have a penchant for switching camps but he is embraced by political parties because he knows the pulse of the people and the issues close to the heart of the people of Sabah.Jeffrey who had joined four political parties in the past and was once held under the Internal Security Act, remains an ordinary member of PKR.
Close calls for the Barisan Nasional in the last two elections, in Sook and Bingkor respectively, where he lost by small margins, attest to this. Attempts to get him to reveal his next move at an interview at his home in Sokid Villa in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu were met with a nonchalant “Bah, see lah.”
The word bah is a unique yet simple response from Sabahans to almost everything. It can mean yes, no, hello or goodbye and combined with different words can be an expression of anger, happiness, surprise or sadness. In short, it is as complicated as politics in Sabah.
Sabah folk may be able to understand what he is saying but peninsula-based PKR leaders will probably find his words hard to decipher. That is why it is felt that issues in Sabah should be resolved by a local.
A Sabah leader Ahmad Thamrin Jaini, formerly the state liaison committee secretary, replaces Azmin Ali as Sabah PKR chief. But the appointment, says Kitingan, was made by leaders from PKR headquarters. That only made things “more complicated”.
“It is not about the appointment but how it was made.” Considering he has gone from one party to another, will Kitingan be able to find a party that represents his true feelings, one that will enable him “to serve the people?”
Will he form a new party? “My brother (Pairin) did it bah when he formed PBS so why can’t I.” Or will he re-enter BN through PBS? It can happen but will it go down well with other PBS members?
Or maybe SAPP? Led by Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the former BN coalition party claims to have stealthily reached out to people of Sabah who wants equality in terms of progress and development. But like he said, he will need feedback from the grassroots first and until he makes his decision. “I am still an ordinary member bah.”
Excerpts from the interview:
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian lasses are an easy lot to charm. They are easily smitten by sweet words and gifts, making them an easy target for drug-trafficking syndicates looking for mules.
This is the view of Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay, who said young Malaysian girls, some fresh graduates, were easily conned by men from the syndicates to travel abroad with a package.
“Some of the girls meet the men abroad and some meet them in Malaysia.
“There have been cases where girls just knew the men for a day and were willing to travel around with a bag, not knowing the contents,” he said at the launch of the Wanita MCA women and children’s aid and public complaints bureau in Kepong yesterday.
Also present at the event was Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.
He said there were currently 1,565 Malaysians jailed abroad and 60% of the cases were drug mules.
“Thailand has the highest number of jailed Malaysians at 52. In Peru, 12 out of the 15 Malaysians jailed are girls,” he said, quoting 2007 statistics.
He added that 25 Malaysians were jailed in Taiwan, 11 in China, 12 in Spain and one in Chile.
“Six in China have been sentenced to death. Since 2007, about 30 Malaysians are in death row,” he said.
Kohilan added that the syndicates, mostly comprising African men, would give the young girls free flight tickets and cash for shopping as part of the trip abroad.
“There is no such thing as a free trip.
“Parents should be mindful of such trips and keep a close watch on their children,” Kohilan said.
Source: thestaronline
LINUNDUS says …
This expose by Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay is very disturbing and is an eye opener for all us, especially for those whose daughters have just completed their schools or graduated.
What could be the reason(s) why our Malaysian lasses are easily roped and duped into this appalling syndrome?
1) Is it because they cannot find immediate employment in our country after they have graduated?
2) Do we have enough vacant jobs that they can be employed?
3) Is it purely greed to venture into this dangerous undertaking albeit knowing the consequences?
The first two questions should be addressed by the Government, while the third rests with the individuals who decide for themselves.
Posted by Laurence England
Perplexed by continued soaring rates of teenage pregnancies, abortions and STIs, a new Government advertising scheme is to roll out next summer. The campaign, 'Be Safe: Wear a Rosary' is a stunning change in direction from the Government. The advertising campaign will feature a young couple getting hot under the collar. The controversial advert, which has received over 500 million complaints from atheists already, before it has even been aired, will feature a conversation from the young couple on the benefits of the Rosary.
The teenage boy and the teenage girl are watching a film when the couple begin kissing and hands start moving to places which could lead to impurity and sin. The teenage girl then says, "Did you bring protection?"
The teenage boy then says, "Oh no...I can't find it. Do you have one?"
The girl says, "Hang on, I'll have a dig around in my bedside drawer....Yes, I've got one. Shall we use a blue one or a white one?"
The boy says, "A white one. Let's do it on the floor in the bedroom."
The girl says, "Yes, lets do that."
The boy then says, "Ready? I believe in One God, the Father the Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth..."
A ladies voiceover then comes in as the ad fades to a picture of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary and whispers, "Be Safe, Use Protection, Wear a Rosary."
You would probably have come across this piece sometime & somewhere in the past. But no harm in re-reposting it! Have a good & safe day! - Idrus al-Haj.
A husband and wife both were very happy over the twelve pound baby boy that was born to them. Mr. Brown who could not conceal his delight, called up the editor of a famous newspaper and reported that he became the proud owner of a twelve pound nugget of gold.
The editor upon hearing the seemingly extraordinary news was rather hesitant to accept it at its face value. So he sent his star reporter to interview Mr. Brown. When the reporter came, Mr. Brown was away and his wife was alone at home.
The following interesting conversation took place between the reporter and Mrs. Brown:
Reporter : Does Mr. Brown Live here?
Mrs. Brown : Oh! Yes.
Reporter : Is he in?
Mrs. Brown : Why no, he went somewhere.
Reporter : Is it true that he owns a twelve pound nugget of gold?
Mrs. Brown : (Seeing the joke) Yes, indeed.
Reporter : Can I see the place where he found it?
Mrs. Brown : I am afraid, not because Mr. Brown objects in as much as it is strictly private.
Reporter : Is the place far?
Mrs. Brown : No, it is quite near and convenient.
Reporter : How many years has Mr. Brown been digging the hole?
Mrs. Brown : Just for about ten months.
Reporter : Is the hole deep?
Mrs. Brown : Quite so...
Reporter : Has Mr. Brown reached the bottom of it?
Mrs. Brown : Not yet, but he is coming near...
Reporter : At about what time does Mr. Brown starts digging?
Mrs. Brown : Oh, he does his digging mostly at night.
Reporter : Does he work hard on it?
Mrs. Brown : You bet... and how he perspires.
Reporter : Is Mr. Brown the first to dig?
Mrs. Brown : He thought he was...
Reporter : How do you know there was someone ahead of him?
Mrs. Brown : I am in a good position to say so, because I own the place.
Reporter : Oh, I see, but you sold the place to Mr. Brown?
Mrs. Brown : No, but for the present, he has the legal title to the site, with my consent.
Reporter : Has Mr. Brown any helper when he works on the claim?
Mrs. Brown : Yes, I work under him...
Reporter : When do you think Mr. Brown will sell the place?
Mrs. Brown : I think not because he enjoys working on it.
Reporter : Can I see the twelve pound nugget of gold?
Mrs. Brown : Yes, certainly (and she showed him the twelve pound baby boy :-)
The Reporter fainted!
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