Odysseys of George

Must be a Aids Awareness Campaign as symbolised by the red ribbon worn by the guy admiring the dress — very safe don’t you think?

As promised this topic kept bugging me despite trying to refrain myself from sounding political.

Do they think we Malaysians are so stupid that we are oblivious to what goes on around us?
Again, politics have decided to put their dirty fingers into well accomplished institutions and smear it forever!

There are 3 issues here :
1. the equity share which is being debated 45% vs 18%
2. the credibility of our scholars
3. the credibility of our government

The Equity share is actually quite obvious to many as the reality is not the difference between the Bumis and non-Bumis but actually the huge discrepancy that has grown out of proportion between the rich Bumis and the poor Bumis. This is actually a new issue unlike the age old Bumis and non-Bumis debate which even without any studies, is quite narrow. I believe the figure of 45% vs 55%. The new issue is what they are probably trying to avoid as this would only make the already present wedge bigger. The poor Malays are being made to believe that the old issue has not been resolved as many of them barely see the reality from their kampungs and are too poor to venture into the bigger towns to see for themselves the truth. This will make them angry and irritated with the non-Bumis and not their high flying rich counterparts. Talk about unity — cakap tak serupa bikin — all the talk about unity when they the leaders even the previous government are actually the one responsible for making it worse. How come unity was so strong during the early years and crumbling now — well as how I see it actually the public by themselves can unite quite easily with a lot of tolerance, a trait so strong among Asians, but the rift are made by self centered individuals as modernisation and money with politics made them narrow and blind. Sadly, they manipulate the poor to attain their dreams.

The other issue I will discuss later…

I was with a friend of mine during “berbuka puasa” when he suddenly asked my opinion on the illegal street racers or now better known as Mat Rempit.

The issue became even more ineresting when, after exhaustive and persistent efforts of our police force to curb it, the papers published this:

KUALA LUMPUR: Putera Umno will set up clubs for the Mat Rempit (illegal street racers) around the country in an effort to reach out to the youngsters and change society’s negative perception of them.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said only a small group of the bikers raced illegally or broke the law but this had given rise to the general perception that they all posed a problem to society.

Khairy in red

and this

KUALA LUMPUR: Public criticism will not stop Putera Umno chief Datuk Abdul Azeez from continuing his efforts to change the image of the Mat Rempit (illegal street racers).

“I do not care if I become the laughing stock of society. At least I am doing something to make a change rather than to just ignore them completely. All they need is a chance to accomplish this,” he said.

and this

PETALING JAYA: Putera Umno claims it has roped in 3,800 mat rempit under 25 years of age to sign up as Umno members.

“We will collect their particulars and absorb them as members. So far, 3,800 have filled up forms to join Umno,” he said

These is how one practices politics. Most of this Mat Rempits are not highly educated and come from small and poor villages. They are easily taken into and fail to realise their lives are the least of this politicians concern and neither the general public safety. All this for self promotion and self interest. Maybe they should then condone school kids playing truant and spending hours in some cybercafe. Imagine a political party run by such a group…! Malaysia Boleh! Maybe they should legalise and set up government based brothels for the prostitutes as not all are bad people!! Hey don’t forget the drug addicts too!

To be continued ……

Mat Rempit

Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.

———— ——————- —————— ———- —————-

Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
A: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
Q: And Mr. Dennington was dead at the time?
A: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy on him.

—————— —————- —————— —————————

Judge: “Well, Sir, I have reviewed this case and I’ve decided to give your wife $775 a week.”
Husband: “That’s fair, your honor. I’ll try to send her a few bucks myself.

The political scene made me sick today — ASLI & the resignation of Dr Lim Teck Ghee — I’ll write about it later. At a lighter note:

A friend send this to me! Thanks Asmah,

Things that you can see only in India

And this only in the land of Down Under

Enjoy

The MNS Belum-Temengor Campaign 2006

The campaign aims to achieve the following:

* Gazettement of the Royal Belum State Park
* Extension of the Royal Belum State Park to include the Temengor Forest Reserve
* Protection of a stretch of natural forest flanking the East-West highway from conversion to plantation

The Devastation:

Why Belum-Temenggur?

There are 12 countries around the world that hold more than 75% of all of Earth’s species. Malaysia is one of these 12 countries. Our rainforests hold such treasures that every time a scientific expedition is held at least 1 new species is found or rediscovered.

Malaysia is listed as having the highest number of plant extinctions by the IUCN.

1. The total area of Belum-Temengor is approximately 300,000 hectares, 4 times the size of Singapore. This vast area allows large mammals such as tigers, elephants and rhinoceros to roam and breed and continue to survive.

2. Belum-Temengor is identified in the Malaysian National Physical Plan as an Environmentally Sensitive Area Rank 1. It means that Belum-Temengor is nationally important for flora, fauna and for a healthy environment to the citizens of Malaysia. It is noted in this plan that this forest must be protected and left untouched.

3. It is internationally recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. It is only in Belum-Temengor that you can find all 10 species of the Malaysian hornbills (Yes! Sarawak only has 8!). This includes the Globally Threatened Plain Pouched Hornbills, which can be seen flying in flocks of more than 2000 individuals. In all, 274 bird species arefound here.

4. The forest has more than 3,000 species of flowering plants, which includes 3 species of the Rafflesia (world’s largest flowers), while Cycads, palm-like plants existing since the dinosaur era grow lush among 64 species of ferns and 62 species of mosses

5. It is home to at least 14 globally threatened mammals. These include the Malaysian Tiger (recently recorded as a sub-species on its own apart from the Indo-China Tiger), the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Asiatic Elephant, the Malayan Tapir, White-handed gibbons, etc.

6. The lake in the middle of the Forest Complex is rich with fish life. It has 23 species of freshwater fish and 7 species of turtles.

7. The lake also is an important water catchment area. The dam provides electricity to many major cities in Peninsular Malaysia. Continued logging will cause siltation in the dam hence reducing the long-term viability of Temengor Dam as a water source and facility for generating electricity.

8. The Belum-Temengor Forest Complex is home to many Orang Asli (indigenous) community. Logging strips them of their home, food, livelihood and heritage.

9. Belum-Temengor is one of Malaysia’s wildest places; untouched forest, great wildlife watching opportunities and fantastic landscape views. These provide a greater opportunity for the State Government to earn revenue, an alternative to logging. Responsible ecotourism will bring in many profitable opportunities for the state if the forest is conserved.

10. Belum-Temengor is a national treasure. This vast landscape MUST be preserved for the Malaysian children and for the world. It is a treasure we should not have to lose for the sake of making a fast buck or for short term profiting.