Malaysian Politicians Say the Darndest Things

I was at Popular Bookshop last Wednesday sniffing for new books as usual and I came across a book by Amir Muhammad, Malaysian Politicians Say the Darndest Things.

Its a thin book and I finished it in one sitting. It contains some of the more quirky quotes and remarks by Malaysian politicians from 1980s onwards and I have to say that I couldn't stop laughing my heads off. For RM 30, this is surely a must by for true Malaysians as it revealed a lot of the behaviour and mentality of Malaysian politicians (Which I must say is not one of the most honest).

It displays much of the oratory skills our politicians have and also some of their slip-ups and derogatory remarks.

Some of those didn't even contain any cow sense as in:

“The Indonesians and Filipinos don’t even have enough to fill their stomachs. Who are they to lecture us on press freedom? We are more qualified because we have full stomachs”
-Information Minister Mohamad Rahmat

"He is not clever at doing it... to be a fraudster you need skills. Fraudsters should always be a notch above their victims. He didn't learn from me or I could have given him some tips... As a father I am disappointed."
- Senator Muhammad Abdul Ghani, implicating his son in a scandal of cloned Approved Permits (APs) for imported cars. (The New Straits Times, 11 October 2006)

"FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU!"
Bung Moktar Radin (Barisan National-Kinabatangan)

This is a really satisfying read. Other quotes includes Samy's comparison of toilets with wives and PAS's remark that the government should employ ugly Malay women only because the prettier can get rich husbands. (At least this way Malay boys will be more independent when looking for a job!)

At the end of the day, I found a new revelation where I become much closer to the country. Though it is not the best way, I do feel proud of being a Malaysian. At least we don't get into fist fights like in Taiwan or Japan. We resolve things in such a comical way!

Thought you've seen it all? Wait till you read a 1980s letter from Mahathir to a then European boy of 10, Abercombie. It'll make you laugh with your tears rolling down.

Banks the Den of Thieves??

A few days ago i went to the bank to run some errands. It was not the rudimentary type of deposit or withdrawal, and i needed assistance. When i was still standing in front of the numbering machine, still pondering which service i actually need, a staff came across me politely and inquired me if i needed assistance. I smiled and turned my head to her, but then my sweet smile turned to frost.

The first thing that went into my mind was 'Rompak'. Aghast, I took a step back, and had a quick, second look. There, hanging by a lanyard was a button with the words 'Bank Rompak Bonus Kami' inscribed on it.

I thought for a second somebody was approaching me with the intention to rob a bank. I heaved a sigh of relieve when I found that it was not but I couldn't stop revolting on seeing the deceiving smile on the assistant's face. As some of you might know, some banks had recently 'renegotiated' a plan that no longer guarantees 2 month bonus to bank employees. It enables the employers to have a more flexible hand in rewarding the more productive and effectively cut done fixed cost.

I couldn't feel much sorrier for the banks. With the current economy facing the onslaught of recession, they have to put up with the enemy underneath the cover (Musuh Dalam Selimut). Wearing those buttons are totally unprofessional and inconsiderate as their public display of defiance also carries a heavy dose of hypocrisy. One might ask:

If the banks are thieves, why not quit the job all together?
Why work for thieves?
If you work for thieves, doesn't it make you a thief as well?
Does defaming the company which logo you are wearing not defaming you as well?
Does scaring away the customers help the bank to feed your kids better?
If banks are thieves, then who the hell are you if you take your wage and at the same time destroying the image of the one that is paying you?

This is a disease of Malaysia. I'm 100% supportive of them protesting for their rights if and only if they take time off from their job and have a work strike. At least then they come clean and fight with real 'backbones'. I'm disgusted. Seeing bloodsucking Malaysians acting so dignified make me sick!!!

For pictures, see this poor Maybank. This tiger has fleas!

How many zeroes are there in a Trillion?

If

1 million = 1,000,000
1 billion = 1,000,000,000

A trillion wil be = 1,000,000,000,000, with 12 zeroes.

How about Rm4 trillion then? well, I guess, for zeroes, if any, there will only be one - Malaysia.

Last week, my first impression on this case was the lawyers trying to shame the government in a desperate attempt to raise the profile of the backwater Indians. Little did I know they were going for broke.

First of all, kudos to all of them for having such guts to do it. Gathering a 10,000 strong possession is not an easy feat, considering that public awareness and civic mindedness in Malaysia is wanting at best. Perhaps next time, they'll do a much better job agreeing on a time with Keadilan eh?

Photos of the protest on Sunday, 25th November 2007

Pics from Reuters

I pity the Indians. Being the poorest among the 3 majority races (races according to history books) , they are often sidelined and 'overlooked'. Brace yourself that Mr. Sammy might declare it as an 'Act of God'. But really, they couldn't expect him to do any better job, or any other Indian leaders for the matter. No point blaming him for lack of action on issues branded 'taboo' for the last 40 years.

Pic from ChinaDaily

Grabbing international limelight is surely a way to overcome it. I certainly will pimp myself just to know what's going on in the mind of The Honourable Dato' Seri Syed Hamid Albar right now, Malaysia's foreign minister who had just been on BBC HardTalk denying any racial differences and endorsed that each and everybody is contented with the New Economic Policy.

Nevertheless, one wonders how foolish can it be risking the lives of innocents defying the government when at best they could garner only 8% of the population. At best, I would think it is a stalemate.

Surely, a possible outcome is for the government to have an ISA crackdown, much like OPS Lallang, and the issue will be washed away by time.

The other scenario will be for the government to give promises for the Indian community, and

1) Never actually work on the promises
2) Actually work on the promises and:

a) Successfully turn around the fortunes of the Indians.
b) The promises are not kept 5-10 years down the road (Malaysia has 3rd world mentality in maintaining things)
c) The promises were revoked 5-10 years down the road because of rising oil prices

For scenario B, at least MIC will have the opportunity to keep the government in check.
Anyway, I am certain there are other 'happier' options to deliver the message across. I came up with 3.

1) Sue the British Government once in a while, including the families of British leaders in Malaya back then. Keep the limelight focus on the plight of the Indians.

2) Produce more babies and have a bigger say in everything when they reach 30% of the population.

3) Shut-up and learn from the Chinese.

Its all for you to figure it out. Do leave your comments.