Recently it was reported in local dailies that a selected trainee for national service has refused to report due to the recent death of her brother. Her parents, who obviously remain distraught about the untimely death, have been steadfastly adamant on keeping their only child with them.

This was compounded by the fact that the deceased had complained to the parents about the poor state of affairs at the national service camps. As the death had not occurred during the national service period but a few days after, the National Service committee felt that there was no basis for refusing her draft into the service.

There is still not much information surrounding the cause of death. When a young healthy individual drops dead, there should be valid concern about the cause. The National Service should not be too quick in absolving themselves of all responsibilities. Afterall it was only 9 days after the end of his training.

The sudden nature of his death should raise questions about the temporal relationship with the recently concluded NS training. Complains from the deceased about the poor water quality and general rundown condition of the camp, should be taken seriously by the NS committee.

There is obvious concern from the parents that the NS is not safe.

Many deaths around the NS training ground itself have been poorly investigated and to date, none of them has surfaced in the public domain. Comparisons with the death rate of the general population at this age is unfair as individuals going into training are supposedly well and healthy. Death rates of the general population may have taken into account individuals that are sick. Therefore, if you think about it, the death rate of these healthy individuals is rather alarmingly high to equate the national death rate.

Until and unless, there is more transparency into how the NS is run, there is little point in exposing one's children to such dangers. Indeed many are supportive of the programme but what about those affected by such unnatural deaths. Even the army or police does not have such a high death rate, do they?

So why are these young children dying at or surrounding the time of the National Service training? More questions than answers.

Related story here.

I received several emails regarding the origins of Hang Tuah which facinated me in the process. Originally I thought that it was another one of those pranks that seems to circulate into my mailbox. As I searched the internet, I realise the complexity of these issues and the basis of such information.

I used to study in the history books about Hang Tuah, a now disputed Malay warrior of the Melaka Sultanate. His allegiance to the Sultan was unwavering that he eventually killed his comrade, Hang Jebat after he reneged on the Sultan. Thus Hang Tuah was a model Malay warrior. Well, at least, that is what was taught or at least recorded in the Hikayat Melayu.

Interestingly, there is now debate as to the origins of Hang Tuah. Was he actually a Malay? Or was he a Chinese or Javanese? Much of this is still disputable from my readings. However, the evidence is growing stronger that he was indeed NOT a Malay.

Shockingly, the Ministry of Education has purportedly removed this topic from the history syllabus in schools. Why? Was it not part of history, regardless of the origins of Hang Tuah? They could have been frank about the disputes on his background, although his identity was definitely that of a warrior to protect the Melaka Sultanate. Is it not what history should all be about?

Or did they feel that it will dent the shouts of 'Malay superiority'?

One thing is certain that makes Malaysia unique. The races in this country are so intertwined over the centuries that racial backgrounds are blurred. The allegiance of the Chinese to Malaysia is unquestionable over the centuries. Even the other races have contributed enormously to the richness in Malaysian history. Without which, Malaysia could not have been what she is today.

The moral of the Hang Tuah dispute should be that Malaysians are here for the country, to protect and defend if the needs do arise. Therefore racial squabbles and racists remarks smacks of disrespect to Malaysia and her history. It equates treason.

The Ministry of Education should not remove this important part of history. It does not make the Malays any less respectable but in contrary reflects the forward thinking of the Melaka Sultans at that time, when the West was still shrouded with racism.

Additional reading here.

Malaysia is officially going nuclear with TNB committing to a nuclear power plant. My objections to nuclear power is clear. It remains an unsafe way to harness power with unclear effects on the environment.

Nuclear wastes remain dangerous for years with currently no effective way of ridding them except to put them in refrigeration. Maintenance is costly with catastrophic consequences if standards are compromised .

Despite zero carbon emissions, it remains a constant danger and threat. Investments in high level security systems is also a must in this currently volatile world.

Are there really no other methods of harnessing power apart from fossil fuels? Should a country with zero experience in nuclear technology, toy with the idea of nuclear power?

Perhaps the billions of ringgit can be used to fund research in alternative energy sources. Unless and until the world knows what to do with nuclear waste, Malaysia should steer clear from this energy option.

Dawn of a new era? A new hope for Malaysia.

Anwar has today confirmed that he has sufficient MPs for a takeover of the Federal Government. It is hoped that the transition will be smooth.

Recent spate of gross misjudgements of the current BN Government was the straw that broke the camel's back. To date, there has been no clear reasons given for the arrests of the journalists or Teresa. Despite clear evidence that would absolve Teresa from any misconduct, the police has decided to ignore that but instead justified the arrest for the purposes of investigation.

Do we see any similiarities with Myanmar? On one hand, we are condemning the brutality of the military junta there, but on the other, we are doing exactly the same misdeed. Malaysia has lost all credibility in its human rights status. Detaining someone without a clear evidence but based on hearsay and the fancies of the ruling politicians, signifies a authoritarian regime.

The BN Government has lost its footing under Abdullah and his ministers, namely, Syed Hamid Albar and Najib Tun Razak. Frankly speaking, I fail to see any of these people continuing in their current positions. Abdullah has been silent on the ISA arrests and left the dirty job to Syed Hamid who clearly is clueless on what to say. UMNO in general has left its "allies" in the dark. MCA, MIC and Gerakan are obviously against the arrests. So when Syed Hamid mentioned about a Government decision, which Government is he referring to?

It was obviously an UMNO decision. UMNO stands alone in this, not the BN coalition government. It's a sinking battleship, with the captain defiantly holding on to its controls.

We await a new dawn for Malaysia, where all malaysians fight for Malaysia regardless of race, for the benefit of all.

Recent ISA arrests that totally lacked judgement raises questions as to the rationale of it all. Why had they arrested these 3 people based on loose accusations, knowing very well that the repercussions will be immense?

I believe that this was done to divert attention from the planned September 16 takeover by the PR alliance. With the attention now diverted, there is less focus on wooing crossovers from the BN MPs.

Unfortunately, the ISA theatrics have put the final nail in Badawi's coffin. With large groups even within his own UMNO party deserting him, his position has become more and more untenable and his tenure as PM is coming to an early end. In addition, the cohesion of BN component parties is suspect following this fiasco.

We are at the verge of a change in Government after 51 years of BN rule. Will they go quietly or will all hell break loose? As we hold our breath for this historic political change, we hope that Malaysia in general gains.

Much resources have been wasted as we slide behind previously poorer neighbours. Accusations of corruption and mismanagement is not without basis although much has been ignored.

It is time to stop the rot. Malaysia needs to progress as a nation of multiple races. We are here to build Malaysia. Harboring ill feelings about other races will only damage Malaysia. For Malaysia to be great, we should all see beyond the colours of our skins. Fighting just for your race, like Ahmad Ismail, will only stall Malaysia from reaching greatness.

One lasting impression for Malaysians to savour is the moment when Lee Chong Wei kissed the Malaysian flag upon winning. Now this is what we need to focus on. Making Malaysia great.

This original letter to the Masjid confirms earlier reports that the call to lower the volume of the loudspeakers for the azan prayers is false.

Even the blogger that propagated the issue has openly apologised for his ill-researched article. (http://www.pembelamelayu.com)

Saya baca dalam suratkhabar online, ada yang mengatakan mereka yang menandatangi petisyen ini sekadar mempertikaikan penggunaan speaker pada waktu subuh untuk bacaan surah dan kuliah subuh. Kesilapan saya ialah kerana menyangka biasanya kegunaan utama speaker pada waktu Subuh ialah untuk melaungkan azan Subuh. Kebiasaanya laungan azan adalah jauh lebih kuat daripada bacaan surah dan kuliah kerana ianya untuk menyeru umat Islam untuk bersama-sama berjemaah di masjid. Manakala bacaan surah dan kuliah biasanya adalah perlahan kerana hanya untuk didengari oleh jemaah dalam masjid. Mungkin saya telah membuat taksiran yang salah dalam soal ini dan menjadi keliru kerana cuba membandingkan perkara ini dengan Solat Jumaat yang mana khutbahnya tidak sekuat jika dibandingkan dengan laungan Azan.

Jadi, sempena bulan Ramadhan yang mulia ini, saya memohon maaf kepada semua umat Islam sekiranya penerbitan artikel dilaman web saya ini telah menimbulkan keresahan di kalangan umat Islam. Sememangnya, saya sepatutnya membuat lebih banyak kajian dan semakan sebelum menyiarkan artikel yang amat sensitif ini.

Saya harap saya akan dapat menjadikan pengalaman saya ini sebagai satu pengajaran untuk saya lebih berhati-hati apabila membuat sesuatu keputusan.

Now is time for Dr Khir to apologise openly to Teresa for this.


Syed Hamid Albar and the police should apologise as well. I think Syed Hamid should resign over this matter. He obviously had the authority to stop the arrests but failed to do so. Matters related to the ISA ends with him as the Home Minister. He knows that.

I wonder what reasons the Government will give this time.

Sign an online petition, Free Teresa Abolish ISA here

Home Minister, Syed Hamid clarified today that the Sin Chew reporter was held for her own safety due to alleged threats on her life!

How stupid does he think we are? Using the ISA to offer protection when there are other avenues? When did the ISA become a law to protect the 'innocent'?

The latest casualty is Teresa Kok.

Where is the Government going with this?

The arrest of the Sin Chew reporter under ISA baffles me. It is clear that Ahmad Ismail uttered racist comments and what the reporter merely did was to report them as it happened. To date, Ahmad Ismail has not clearly clarified how he was misquoted apart from saying that it was historical facts. He remains defiant and at times taunting both the Chinese community and the Government. He remains free from ISA.

The entire community of journalists should condemn this action. This barbaric resolve equates us to the authoritarian Myanmarese junta. Reasons for arrest is purportedly for security and peace. Yes, but for whom?

What has the Sin Chew reporter done wrong? When did reporting a ‘crime’ became a threat to national security? Why is Ahmad Ismail still free when he clearly is the source of this controversy and in my opinion, poses more of a threat to national security. He remains influential and is free to hold advisory positions within UMNO. In 3 years, he will be back to active politics.

Ahmad Ismail sowed seeds of doubt about the citizenship and loyalty of the Chinese to his predominantly Malay audience. The intention of bringing up historical facts of the Chinese immigration to Malaysia is enough circumstantial evidence to support the fact that he intended to instill spite among the Malays.

Ahmad Ismail fits the profile of one that should be sitting in the Kamunting Detention Camp.

What has Tan Choon Heng, the Sin Chew journalist done wrong? In my eyes, nothing. She was merely doing her job. Ahmad Ismail did not deny uttering the said remarks. He should have apologized that it was open to misinterpretation. Instead his reactions clearly suggest malicious intent.

It is absurd!

Enough arrogance!

Recent statements by a senior UMNO politician referring to the Chinese in Malaysia as 'pendatang' , reflects the regressive mentality of UMNO. Instead of rebuking such statements, our PM has instead tried to defend him. I agree that this is a seditious remark.

UMNO is losing direction and until or unless there is a change in mindsets, MCA,MIC and Gerakan should rethink their participation in BN.

Rumours are rife and it appears that Malaysia may be facing another political tsunami. PR is at the threshold of power. despite valiant attempts by the PM to foil any takeover bids, it is obvious that he no longer commands the support of his fellow parliamentarians.

Even Najib is tainted by the still unresolved Altantuya case, where his foot imprints litter the case. Many leads point to him but unfortunately intentionally ignored. Even the Saiful sodomy saga is beginning to backfire, when Najib who initially denied meeting Saiful, had to backtrack when photographs that linked him emerged.

Despite a landslide victory by Anwar in Permatang Pauh, BN remains defiant that it in no way reflected the sentiments of the general public. My advice, wake up!!

After 51 years of BN rule, Malaysia is ready for change. Much of that has been shrouded by media brainwash before the era of the internet arrived. Even then, BN is bent on stifling the independence of the internet as recently displayed when they blanked out a pro opposition website! It's promise of non interference evaporating.

Enough is enough.