One Down, 29 To Go - Advantage Pakatan Rakyat

Today, 8th September 2008, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Opposition Leader of Pakatan Rakyat scored another point towards realising his 16th September campaign to overthrow the National Front (BN) Government, eight days ahead of the scheduled date. Today, the BN has one less Member of Parliament (MP), thanks to the Kota Kinabalu High Court which this morning ruled against Tan Sri Joseph Kurup the unopposed winner of the Pensiangan Parliamentary seat in the March 8 general elections. This was reported in major online news portal more or less like this:

BN now has one MP less

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 8 — The Kota Kinabalu High Court today declared null and void the election of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup as the unopposed winner of the Pensiangan parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election. — Bernama (http://www.malaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia)

At the rate things are moving, Anwar might just make his dream come true, well...maybe not overthrow the BN Government exactly on 16th September but sometime before end of the year. Even with the whole Malaysian Government machinery fighting every move Anwar makes to realising his ambition of becoming the next Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar seems almost certain and closer to making this ambition a reality.

The BN Government, especially UMNO, has pulled every stunt in the book, even the seemingly most foolish and illogical, to deny Anwar his ambition. The past few months, ever since Anwar announced his intention to contest in a by-election as the first step towards getting into mainstream Malaysian politics, have seen incredulous allegations and charges against Anwar:

• the ridiculous Sodomy II and the impending court appearance on 10 September;
• the high drama arrest of Anwar by 30 policemen in full blalacava gear in 16 police cars;
• the demand for Anwar's DNA samples by UMNO people in high places including the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, himself;
• the 'oath-taking' demands on Anwar from numerous UMNO parrots just as his accuser, Saifool, and Deputy Prime Minister Najib, ridiculous as it seems, have done;
• the conspicuous tabling of the DNA Bill in Parliament on the very day polling for the Peramatang Pauh by-election was going on, and where Anwar and all his men were on the fileld ensuring Anwar's landslide victory; and
• now, the all-paid trip to a retreat (or is it a course?) in Australia for BN MPs from 7th to 19 September, obviously to head off Anwar's 16th September plan.

Despite the might and power of the Malaysian government machinery, all the above (not including the latter) failed to stop Anwar's landslide victory in Permatang Pauh. And now even with Anwar in Parliament, the BN Government is being made even more desperate to ensure, as openly promised by PM Badawi himself, that Anwar is stopped in his tracks to Putrajaya.

But by the way events are unfolding on a daily basis, Anwar might just get to Putrajaya. The 30 Members of Parliament (MPs) that Anwar needs to change the Government, as Anwar himself has openly announced, are from Sabah and Sarawak. There rumour mills have been on overdrive as the 16 September date looms near, and numerous rumours have been making their rounds. In the case of Sabah, the two Sabah SAPP MPs have made their intentions clear ever since announcing their support for any 'vote-of-no-confidence' against Prime Minister Badawi for BN's disastrous performance in the general elections last March. In addition to these two doubtful SAPP/MP seats for BN, today's decision by the Kota Kinabalu High Court to rule BN's win in Pensiangan as null and void could spell greater trouble for BN as these could mean 3 less seats for BN.

So, in the light of all that have been happening these few months, including and especially today's Kota Kinabalu High Court decision and the loss of an MP seat for BN, Anwar might just be headed straight to Putrajaya, maybe not on scheduled on 16th September as planned, but still on track to Putrajaya. Yes, right on track to a change in the government, and on to a new and better Malaysia for all Malaysians.

Anwar Ibrahim Wins Permatang Pauh By A Landslide!

Congratulations, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim! You did it! You won Permatang Pauh! A landslide victory for Anwar, for Reformasi! Now on to Putrajaya, Mr Prime Minister-in-waiting...

The official results of the Permatang Pauh By-election today, as announced by the Elections Commission at 10.02 pm, 26 August 2008:

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: 31,195 votes

Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah: 15,524 votes

Hanafi Mamat: 92 votes

Majority: 15,671
Voter Turnout: 80%
Total Votes: 47,258
Spoilt Votes: 447

Datuk Seri, you have successfully made the first step on the road to Putrajaya. You've won the ticket to be the next Prime Minister of Malaysia. This is a huge victory for reformasi and democracy in Malaysia! While we rejoice with you, it would be worth our while to take into account that this is only the beginning of the more difficult task to bring about the necessary changes to this country.

Be aware, as we know you are, be very aware that UMNO/BN will do whatever it takes to stop you. You beat the odds, and it is a great psychological bonus for you to have destroyed whatever tiny hope that UMNO/BN had to reduce your majority from the 13,348 votes that Datin Seri secured in the General Elections last March. You even denied them of that puny little hope as proof of the erosion of the people's trust in you. On the contrary, your increased majority of 15,671 votes can only mean that more and more Malaysians are beginning to look up to Datuk Seri to lead this nation to greater heights.

We know as well as you do that the road ahead will be very hard and tough. On top of that, Datuk Seri will have to carry on your shoulders the hopes and aspirations of the people of Malaysia. But while we, the rakyat, have placed our hopes and dreams on you, be assured that our prayers are also with you on your journey to Putrajaya. Our prayers and support are with you as we work together towards the fulfillment of the people's aspiration in building this great nation called Malaysia.

Thank you, and our prayers are with you, Datuk Seri.

D-Day in Permatang Pauh, D-Day for Malaysia

Today is an exciting day for Malaysians. It is D-Day in Permatang Pauh.

Today, 26 August 2008, is polling day for the by-election in Permatang Pauh. Never in Malaysia's history has so much focus, hope and expectations of millions heaped on a single by-election. This by-election is critical because Malaysia's Opposition de facto leader, the iconic and charismatic Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be slugging it out at his home base with BN/UMNO's Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, and an Independent unknown, Hanafi Mamat, who had become nearly invisible since nominations day on 16 August. This by-election brings the hope for changes in the country's governance that millions of Malaysians are looking forward to. This Permatang Pauh by-election could be the re-birth of true democracy and good governance in Malaysia.

This by-election is also a Do-or-Die for both sides. The fight is not so much between the two major contenders - Arif versus Anwar. The implications goes beyond these two contenders. The actual battle is between Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and and Malaysia's ruling government, the Barisan Nasional (BN). Anwar is seeking a comeback to politics after an absence of 10 years, during which he was sacked from UMNO in 1998 and after that jailed for six years on sodomy charges which Anwar now alleged was fabricated by UMNO, then led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and involving some in the government. As Anwar had often publicly announced since his active return to politics, he is seeking a comeback to overthrow the corrupt UMNO/BN out of government, and formed the next Government of Malaysia, albeit from political crossovers by BN lawmakers to his Pakatan Rakyat (PR, or the People's Coalition).

Anwar was Member of Parliament (MP) for Permatang Pauh from 1982 to 1999, the year he was hit by corruption and sodomy charges that landed him in jail. Anwar's wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, the PKR President, held the seat for 3 terms until she resigned last 31st July 2008, paving the way for Anwar's return to Malaysian politics. From then, all hell broke loose for the charismatic and ambitious Anwar. Since the General Elections (GE) last March, where the opposition coalition wrested control of five states, Anwar created havoc for UMNO and BN when he repeatedly announced that he will form the next Government come September 16, 2008 as he has at least 30 MPs waiting in the wings to cross as as soon as he enters the House of Parliament. The GE last March heralded a New Dawn for Malaysia, Anwar declared, and he announced to all that he is the Prime Minister-in-waiting. Hence, the significance of today's by-election. This Permatang Pauh by-election is the ticket to head the new government of Malaysia for this Prime Minister-in-waiting. Permatang Pauh will lead the way for Anwar to Putrajaya, the seat of the Government of Malaysia. Hence, the by-election's battle cry: From Permatang Pauh to Putrajaya.

Today, 26 August 2008, Malaysia is on the threshold of a historical event of the political kind. Should he win, Anwar will have put an end to the 50-year dominance of UMNO in leading the BN government. Fifty years is quite a long time - enough time for corruption, cronyism and abuse of power to fester and take root. These are what Anwar claims he want to fight and get rid of. For such noble goals, many Malaysians welcome Anwar with open arms. For many Malaysians, sick and fed-up with all the repressive abuse of power, corruption and cronyism reaching high up in the highest BN echelons, Anwar represents a change - a change, not immediate, but a change nonetheless away from this sickening, repressive and abusive manner in which government of the day is manipulating the people in their desperation to hold on to power. The people are simply tired. The people are fed-up and sick at the revolting tactics the ruling government is using against anyone who dared to stand up to them. Anwar represents that beacon of light that dared to shine and expose to the world the terrible darkness that engulf the corrupt and the evil that is UNMO/BN.

Because Permatang Pauh could spell the political demise of those presently in control of UMNO, led by the Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and his Deputy, Najib Tun Razak, all stops were unplugged and all possible means to stop and get Anwar were put into fast drive. The path to Permatang Pauh had not only been difficult and challenging for Anwar, it had been soiled with filth and vile accusations of the sordid kind that could only have been borne from the brain cells of the clones of the devil incarnate himself. Because of the success of the trumped-up sodomy charge of 1998 that had thrown Anwar in jail for six years, a similar sodomy charge was hastily cooked up at end-June/early-July when Anwar was still mulling in which Parliamentary seat he would be contesting. The sodomy charge was similar to that of 1998 in every manner conceivable that it became Sodomy II. It is laughable at how UMNO top officials are totally devoid of any creativity and new ideas at how to get Anwar. The copy-cat sodomy charge is evident of UMNO's desperation to stop Anwar at all costs. The past weeks since end-July have been terribly sad, maddening but mostly embarrassing for many Malaysians to be exposed to all the sodomy charges that only people in UMNO are capable of hurling at Anwar. They even have the stomach to drag such filthon to their holy ground, to the oath-taking by Anwar's sodomy accuser in a mosque in Kuala Lumpur. It is just incomprehensible that the UMNO top officials are blind to the people's true sentiments. They are obviously blinded by their greed and their desperation to hold on to power. I have a strong feeling that for all these bad deeds and all their devious actions and tactics, the UMNO top officials will pay for in Permatang Pauh.

As I write this, it is past 4.00 pm, I am also surfing to see a few websites that give live reports and updates from Permatang Pauh. From noon to nearly 5.00pm, the eye witness reports coming in by the minute say that the voters turnout has risen from 50% at noon to possible 70%-75% by 4.30 pm; the polling stops at 5.00pm. High turnout is great for Anwar. Some reports say that Anwar's majority is climbing over and above 10,000 and could reach 15,000 or possibly 20,000. Another report claims that Anwar has already won, garnering 60% of the votes. Some supporters have started their chants, "Hail to the new Prime Minister of Malaysia!" This are good news for Malaysians and democracy.

Indeed, today looks set to be a good day for great changes in Malaysia. This day looks real good for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This day will bring in a New Dawn for Malaysia. Indeed, today will spell the rebirth of democracy in Malaysia.

Big Time Betrayal For Sabah by Yet Another UMNO Chief Minister

Barely have Sabahans gotten over the folly of its infamous gambler cum ex-Chief Minister, Osu Sukam (please refer to my earlier post "Of Elections, The Development Promises, The Betrayal), now Sabahans are further embarrassed, not to mention made very much poorer, by the current Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman should a report on money traficking and money laundering (see below) be true. The report below basically says that the Hong Kong Government has arrested one Michael Chia, the adopted brother of Datuk Seri Musa Aman, at the Chep Lap Kok Airport and has seized the RM16 million worth of Singapore currency which Michael Chia was attempting to smuggle out of Hong Kong. Chia is alledged to be involved in money laundering and traficking in Hong Kong together with two other partners of Musa Aman. When arrested, Chia pleaded to be freed as the money belongs to Musa Aman, and that he (Chia) is merely an agent to take the money out of Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur for the Permatang Pauh by-elections.

It comes as a shock to many Sabahans to think that the Chief Minister they voted in the General Elections last March would be even remotely involved in money laundering and traficking, much less have an adopted brother who had confessed to the police that the ill-gotten money belongs to the Chief Minister. Come to think of it, in the current manner Malaysia is being managed by the powers that be, it would be naive for Sabahans to think that the Chief Minster could be where he is today without having to pay 'ang-pow' money (much like the mafia protection money) to those higher-ups in UMNO who govern and corrupt Malaysia every which way they can. The timing of this latest revelation involving Musa Aman and BN/UMNO couldn't have come at a better time - on the third day of the campaign period for the by-election in Permatang Pauh (polling day is on 26 August 2008), deemed a critical by-election that could forever change the political landscape of Malaysia and spell the end of the corrupted BN Government, the ruling coalition that had governed and held Malaysia by her throat for the past 50 years since Independence.

The article which, if true, reveals concrete evidence and the missing link between Musa Aman and the more than an average joe's riches that the Aman brothers/family flaunt (riches which obviously belong to Sabah), was posted in Malaysia Today on this 18th day of August, 2008:

http://malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/11529/84/

Kerajaan Hong Kong Rampas Wang Musa Aman?

Posted by Super Admin
Monday, 18 August 2008 13:20
Oleh: 'Deep Throat' Sabah

Penangkapan adik angkat Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Musa Aman iaitu Michael Chia di Hong Kong pada jam 2.35 petang khamis (14 Ogos 2008) telah membongkar misteri di sebalik enigma.

Michael Chia ditangkap polis Hong Kong di Lapangan Terbang Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong ketika ingin menyertai penerbangan ke Kuala Lumpur.

Menurut sumber rapat Polis Hong Kong dan Interpol, mereka telah memantau kegiatan haram Michael Chia sejak tiga tahun lalu dan akhirnya berjaya menangkap Michael bersama bukti wang tunai Singapura bernilai RM16 juta yang diseludup keluar daripada Hong Kong di dalam beg pakaiannya.

Setelah disoalsiasat, Michael merayu agar dibebaskan kerana wang berkenaan milik Musa Aman dan beliau hanyalah agen membawa keluar wang berkenaan ke Kuala Lumpur bagi membantu meringankan beban kewangan Barisan Nasional dalam proses penamaan calon di Permatang Pauh dan sebahagiannya untuk kegunaan pilihanraya kecil berkenaan.

Penangkapan ini membuatkan Musa Aman berang dan bimbang beliau akan terjerat berikutan penahanan Michael Chia bersama bukti dan lebih malang lagi apabila akaunnya di beberapa bank di Hong Kong dibekukan serta merta.

"CM (Musa) marah betul atas kebodohan Michael Chia kerana bawa wang tunai. Kenapa tidak TT (Telegraphic Transfer) saja? Saya rasa CM kita dalam bahaya," ujar Datuk Amin Khan, seorang proksi Musa Aman ketika memberitahu rakannya yang juga Datuk melalui telefon di sebuah coffe house hotel terkemuka yang sempat didengar wakil Malaysia Today di Sabah yang secara kebetulan menikmati makan malam di situ.

Penangkapan suspek ini mengejutkan semua pihak terutama Badan Pencegah Rasuah Sabah kerana Michael Chia tidak boleh meninggalkan Negara ini tanpa mendapat izin BPR kerana pasportnya dalam simpanan BPR atas beberapa pertuduhan rasuah bersama Loh Man Heng.

Michael yang sebelum ini ditangkap bersama rakan kongsi Musa Aman, Loh Man Heng dan Chong 'Khung Long' (Chong Dinasour) kemungkinan akan dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Tinggi Hong Kong pada hari ini bagi menghadapi pertuduhan penyeludupan wang dan pengurupan wang haram (Money Traficking dan Money Laundering).

Penangkapan Michael ini memberi tamparan hebat kepada Ketua Pengarah BPR, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan kerana desas desus yang tersebar meluas mengatakan bahawa Kes Rasuah Loh Man Heng telah ditutup berikutan pengakuan Loh Man Heng sendiri bahawa beliau telah membayar sejumlah RM4 juta melalui pegawai kanan BPR, Mohd Jamidan Abdullah yang sebelum ini menutup kes Musa Aman dalam kegiatan pembalakan haram di Keningau.

Sebelum ini, Pengurus Besar Operasi Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah, Mohd Daud Tampokong yang sering kelihatan bersama dengan Michael Chia di Hong Kong dan Singapura untuk menjalankan transaksi kewangan bagi pihak Musa Aman.

Namun bak kata pepatah modern, sepandai-pandai ayam melompat, akhirnya menjadi KFC, Michael Chia terjebak walaupun sebelum ini telah berjaya melakukan traksaksi pemindahan wang dalam jumlah yang besar, namun kali ini tertangkap kerana gelojoh membawa wang tunai dengan jumlah melebihi had yang dibenarkan.

Musa Aman begitu mempercayai Michael Chia kerana syarikat bapa Michael, Chia & Sons telah banyak membantu Musa di era beliau membina kerjaya dalam bidang pembalakan dan kontrak, terutama penyewaaan skau (tongkang) untuk menarik kayu balak Musa.

Apabila Musa menjadi Pengarah Yayasan Sabah dan Ketua Menteri Sabah, Michael telah menjadi 'Taiko' dalam bidang perhutanan terutama di konsesi Yayasan Sabah.

Michael turut dibantu oleh Chong 'Khung Long' atau yang digelar 'Dinosour' kerana kegiatannya dalam bidang pembalakan haram untuk membekalkan balak kepada Michael selain daripada konsesi dengan kerjasama Pengarah Perhutanan Sabah, Datuk Sam Mannan @ Sam Singh.

Berita penangkapan Michael Chia belum diketahui umum namun tidak mengejutkan penduduk Sandakan kerana selama ini beliau menunjukkan kekayaan luar biasa dan hidup mewah dengan memiliki sekurang-kurangnya dua bungalow dan 17 kereta mewah, selain harta yang dibeli di Hong Kong dan Singapura.

"Satu sport rim keretanya sama nilainya dengan sebuah proton wira," ujar William, seorang mekanik yang menyelenggara keretanya sejak tujuh tahun lalu.

Dalam pada itu, hubungan antara Daud Tampokong dan Michael Chia terlalu rapat kerana mereka sering dilihat bersama di Shang Hai, Shang Zen, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapura dan Quang Zhou untuk menguruskan 'ang pau' untuk Musa Khan yang kebanyakannya dimasukkan ke dalam akaun Hajjah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki (Gundik Musa Aman) yang juga Pengurus Sumber Manusia dan Pentadbiran Yayasan Sabah.

The article above confirms how terribly desperate the powers that be are to hold on to power in the already terrible political state that Malaysia is currently embroiled in. What easier way to stay in power than play money politics. This RM16 million that is making its way to Permatang Pauh is obviously just tip of the iceberg. (I have not even started to mention the UMNO party elections later in October where even party members have publicly complained that delegates are already rampantly and openly buying nominations to be elected into UMNO supreme council and top party positions.) The UMNO/BN Government is pulling out the plug on this no holds barred by-elections in Permatang Pauh in a desperate bid to stop opposition de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at all costs from becoming the next Prime Minister of Malaysia. Just as it's crucial for Anwar to win this by-election and embark on his way to the country's premiership, it is a more critical Do-or-Die for UMNO, the dominant party in the ruling coalition. This desperation on the part of UMNO to hold on to power is alleged to be the reason behind the conspiracy to politically assassinate Anwar using an old political ploy - the infamous sodomy charge against Anwar. Based on an old 1998 script, for total lack of creativity on the part of the perpetrators, this latest sodomy charge - now known as Sodomy II - just seems too ridiculous to be true. And the fact that the whole UMNO machinery is moronically supporting every move the 23-year old complainant makes is evident enough that Sodomy II is all politically choreographed and, as Anwar says, a political conspiracy as only UMNO is capable of.

Should Anwar win the Permatang Pauh by-election on 26 August 2008, the Prime Minister and his cronies and the Deputy Prime Minister and his cronies, too, should be counting the days to their political demise. The former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, who ruled Malaysia with an iron fist for 22 years and who everyone now knows was behind Sodomy I had recently said that if Anwar becomes Prime Minister, he will migrate. So to those behind Sodomy II (by now many Malaysians know who they are because of the internet), be prepared to join Mahathir in his migration plans. And should Anwar win the by-election, Malaysians can look forward to a change for the better and to a New Dawn for Malaysia.

This piece of information is important to Sabahans. This information has revealed the type of Chief Minister we have under BN and in UMNO and which Sabahans have voted for in the General Elections last March. See what Sabahans voted for as their leader - a Chief Minister who sole purpose during his chiefministership tenure seems to be self-enrichment. This RM16 million - just the tip of the iceberg, obviously - is a hell lot of money. It could built schools and provide clean water supply in many villages in Sabah where even these basic amentities are glaringly lacking. Many Sabahans were terribly dissapointed at the conculsion of the General Elections last March: Sabah was the first State in the country to announce a win for Barisan Nasional. It seemed Sabahans never learnt!

Well now, Sabahans, learn this. The current political situation is troubling many right thinking Malaysians. The blantant use and abuse of the total Government machinery, especially the police and the public prosecutor's office, by BN/UMNO for their own political agenda raises serious questions on the current misrule of law in this country. What this country critically needs at this point in time is a CHANGE from the direction this country is heading into; we need a change towards a better future for all Malaysians .... a Malaysia for all races. At this point, if Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim represents that promise for change and seems to be our only hope for a change, so be it. Malaysian will want to support those individuals/parties that promise a change for a better future and equality for Malaysians, irrespective of race. To initiate such a change immediately, Sabah's Members of Parliament (MPs) must be among the 30 or so MPs that Anwar needs to jump over to the alternative front (Pakatan Rakyat) to form the next Government of Malaysia. To the Sabahan MPs, do the wise thing when Anwar Ibrahim wins Permatang Pauh on 26 August 2008. Join en masse the Pakatan Rakyat and help Anwar Ibrahim form the next democratic Government of Malaysia. Let Sabahans be counted and let us make a difference in forever changing the political landscape of Malaysia. Let Sabah go down in history as an important kingmaker at a time when it is duty bound and critical to do so. Sabahans, let us redeem ouselves. Let us save Sabah and Malaysia from the clutches of the evil, corrupted and greedy UMNO. Let us do the wise thing - support and vote for change - and, for once, let us do good for our country, for our children and for own future.

An End to the Vile Malaysian Ruling Elite Brand of Politicking. Finally?

Is that a silver lining I see on the dark threatening cloud that has hovered over Malaysia's political landscape this past month? Is this really the end to the vile and filthy brand of politicking that has become synonymous to Malaysia's ruling gangster elite aka UMNO? We had prayed so.

This past month, right thinking Malaysians have been praying for an end to the Government's devious charade against a true Malaysian citizen. Malaysians have been deeply troubled by the unfolding events this past 4-weeks, especially the blatant acts of law of the jungle by our law enforcers right up to the highest office of the Government of Malaysia, the Prime Minister himself. Right thinking Malaysians were horrified at the vigorous actions taken against one single Malaysian citizen by the combined force of Malaysia's law enforcement system and high-ranking Government officials and lawmakers, largely comprising the UMNO elite, especially in their hounding demands for Anwar's DNA samples. Right thinking citizens of Malaysia at large could only stand and watch, question and pray that this abuse of power by the government of Malaysia against a Malaysian citizen and his family will come to end soon. And God seemed to have answered our prayers exactly one month to the day this evil attack was launched against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 28 June 2008.

Ever since that day, 28 June 2008, when the sodomy charge was filed against Datuk Seri Anwar, an obvious repeat of the political fiasco that brought him down 10 years earlier, Malaysia struggled to hold on to its dignity and integrity. Or at least, the average Malaysians tried to, but their efforts at keeping a straight and honest face kept getting derailed by, of all people, their own leaders, those tasked to manage the Government, from the law enforcing personnel, the law upholders, the ministers in charge, and right up to the highest offices in Government, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister. Malaysians, at large, cringed at the thought of a repeat of the 1998 legal fiasco - an alleged sodomy that took place at an apartment building that didn't even exist, the kangaroo court, the disgusting sight of a mattress hauled in and out or court - that have left a bad imprint on the public's mind. Malaysians, in general, fear a repeat of the the sodomy charge of 1998 which, manipulated by Mahathir Mohamed's ala Zimbabwe rule, managed to put an end to the career of a rising political star who ended up jailed for the next 6 years. Oh no, not again, you can literally hear Malaysia groaned. And to our horror, the political drama began unfolding much in the same manner as that notorious case against the same individual 10 years earlier: the police report by the alleged victim (which was never made available to the accused) was followed by a dramatic arrest of the accused by police dressed in full balaclava gear and in 15 police vehicles, and the desperate attempt to secure fresh DNA samples of the accused via medical checkup and overnight cell confinement, the failure of which was followed by thundering cries and demands from notorious lawmakers, the Home Minister and the clueless Prime Minister for fresh DNA samples of the accused. This time around, however, Anwar Ibrahim knew better, and did not heed to such idiotic demands by the ruling elite gangsters for his fresh DNA samples . This time around, too, Malaysians at large, and much of the world's free countries kept a close watch, admonishing and warning the Malaysian government to heed the rule of law in their handling of Anwar's case.

The ruling elite should have known better as this is no longer 1998. People always learn, even monkeys do. When you know that the enemy is up to the same tricks, you steer away, call their bluff and you fight back, tooth and nail. The enemy should have known that when you prepare for battle using faked ammunition, you need to mobilise an idiotic bunch of soldiers who are willing to die for your idiosyncrasies and your craze for power. Therein lies the problem. You may fool some people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time. There are bound to be good people somewhere in this God forsaken country who still possess these things called conscience and integrity. Thank God, there are. There are people who will use their conscience to do the right thing in their line of duty. We are grateful for the noble act of one Dr. Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid who gave a factual medical report on the real status of the alleged sodomy victim.

I first read about the leaked hospital report yesterday (28 July 2008) on the Malaysia Today website, which I have been trying to access since 2.00pm today (it is now 6.30pm) but couldn't. The website is obviously being hacked again. I had to go to Anwar Ibrahim's blog for the life-saving report. The following leaked hospital report confirms that the sodomy charge is a political assassination of Anwar Ibrahim:

http://anwaribrahimblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/rep2.pdf

The good doctor's report confirms Anwar's contention that the sodomy allegation is baseless and nothing but a political conspiracy by political figures high up in the government. Anwar Ibrahim held a press conference today to condemn the police for "their negligence, dishonesty and recklessness in humiliating the nation by dragging us all through this vile and filthy charade" and told the police to stop the probe.

DS Anwar Ibrahim's Press Statement, 29 July 2008, 11.30am

Today, 29 July 2008, is a great day for truth and justice in Malaysia. Today, in Malaysia, is the beginning of the end to the vile and devious politicking tactics of the ruling elite gangsterism that is UMNO. Is it? Finally?

Today should have been a great day for truth and justice in Malaysia. Today should have been the day to start putting an end to the shame and disgrace that have painted the political landscape of Malaysia. But it is apparent that these shameless and disgraceful political attackers have not yet shown the white flag. No, in their line of battle, these political attackers never have any white flag on them, and neither do they intend to have one. They do not know the meaning of defeat. Even if they fall hard to a shameful death, they would still be screaming bloody victory to their name. Obviously, they do not seem to possess the humble characteristic of being gracious in defeat. No, these political animals do not have the word 'conscience' in their vocabulary and neither do they know the meaning of justice and integrity. How then can we, mere citizens on the street, expect them to possess even an iota of 'good' in their governance?

Is that a silver lining I see on the dark threatening cloud that has hovered over Malaysia's political landscape this past month? Is this really the end to the vile and filthy brand of politicking that has become synonymous to Malaysia's ruling gangster elite aka UMNO? We had prayed so. But, by the way events are moving, and the manner in which the Malaysian clones of the devil incarnate continue to operate, it looks like we have to pray harder. Pray hard, but play even smarter.

Malaysia's Innocence Destroyed by Disgusting Sex Crime Charges

Innocence is robbed from the cradle. Young minds in Malaysia are being exposed to sickening sex details of the perverted kind. And innocence is lost. Forever.

It must be very tough growing up in Malaysia these past 10 years. Innocence is robbed from the cradle by the public keeper itself, the Malaysian Government, driven in this rampage and rape of innocent minds by the dominant ruling party. Blinded by power craze and completely devoid of conscience, the ruling politicians bring down their political opponents using not just simple sex charges but the more perverted kind - sodomy - and make complete use of the government-controlled media, the daily tabloids and the courts system to feed young innocent Malaysian minds with daily doses of disgusting sodomy details. It seems that Malaysia's political favourite to bring down the enemy is the sodomy charge. Whenever their positions are threatened, these political animals mobilise the whole government machinery, the notorious ones being, as events have shown, those that uphold and enforce the law of the land, spearheaded by none other than the offices of the Attorney-General (AG) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

A child who was an innocent 8-year old in 1998 would be 18 today. The beginnings and the learning of his sexuality, or leaning thereof, would have started in 1998 or much earlier. Now remember the shameful court debacle in 1998 under the rule of the longest-term Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammed? Remember the sordid and disgusting sodomy details charged against a single Malaysian citizen by the powerful might of the whole Malaysian Government machinery, its media circus and its kangaroo courts, all 'according to standard operating procedures' and legalised by the public prosecutor office and protected by the police? Remember the sickening sight of the mattress being hauled in and out of court, the so-called semen stains evidence and intimate anal intercourse details for all and sundry? The word 'liwat' (sodomy in Malay) instantly became a popular household word and the butt (pun intended) of silly jokes! To a wide-eyed 8-year old just beginning to explore his sexuality, can you imagine what sort of ideas and questioning curiosity can start seeding and growing in his little brain? The whole Government machinery, the media and the legal system were teaching and showing the child that if you want to cut a man down and destroy him and his political ambitions, all you need to do is use the sodomy charge against him the Malaysian way. Sodomy, a very serious crime in largely Muslim Malaysia and punishable up to a 20-year jail-term, is probably the only crime very impossible to disprove, and especially in Malaysia, any shortcoming in evidence can easily be trumped up and fabricated. And the fabrication procedures, as events have shown, are all very legal, covered and protected by the upholders and enforcers of the law in the land - courtesy of the offices of the AG and the IGP!

If the 8-year old child knows how to take the right from the wrong, then everything will be fine and dandy. But remember when you were eight? What sort of ideas on human sexuality did you have then? I was 12, and I couldn't, for the life of me, understand why this particular girl in our school would let herself get pregnant only to be thrown out of school. Why is she so stupid, I fervently asked my friends. They just laughed at my own stupidity. Stupid, perhaps, and no matter how short-lived, innocence and its beauty in childhood were very much alive then.

I may not be a sociologist or psychologist, but common sense tells us that all ideas an adult tells that wide-eyed 8 year-old and those much younger, chances are they will take them for the truths, the facts of life, and the probability are high that they will put those ideas into practice. Notice how, when you thought they were not listening, your 5 or 6-year olds absorb nearly every word that you said (especially those cuss words) just like a sponge, and throw them back to your face at some point later, if not soon? We don't have to have a PhD in sociology or psychology to know that much of our learning on life and our orientation in life start at that tender age. What we heard, saw or were done to us mould us into what we are today.

So having made the issue of sodomy a favourite national past-time of Malaysians starting in 1998, the Malaysian Government should not waste precious time wondering why the problem of homosexuality in Malaysia is reaching a worrisome level. This was what some lawmakers and a Minister recently complained in Parliament just a week or so ago. Do you fault that child of 1998 wanting to explore and experiment with his sexuality, after all, the whole Malaysian Government machinery, the courts system and the circus media fed him all the sordid and perverted sex details for breakfast, lunch and dinner back in 1998? Do you fault that child for trying to figure out what's right from wrong, and what's proper sex and what constitutes sex crime under a religion and the law? Fast forward to 2008. And the same sickening sodomy debacle is being played in public all over again involving the same charge against the same poor fellow (the charges against whom were cleared by the Courts in 2004). And that 8-year old who first witnessed that shameful disgusting event in 1998 is, today, a terribly confused adult, now doubting and wondering what teachings on sexuality he should practice. So, if one puts the blame for rising homosexuality in Malaysia squarely on the Malaysian Government, its legal system and its law enforcer, would one be totally in the wrong?

Be that as it may, one puzzling thing about this whole issue of rising homosexuality in Malaysia is that prior its Parliament debut, this issue is actually a NON ISSUE. All this while, in spite of the 1998 Anwar-sodomy debacle, there has never been a complaint, nay a squeak, from the immensely silent gay community, let alone a demand for their rights. Homosexuality and the gay community are part of the societal landscape in Malaysia but it is more case of 'you may be seen but you are not supposed to be heard'. Homosexuality is snickered at and made fun of, but tolerated simply because the homosexuals may be your sons or daughters, your brothers, your sisters, your relatives or your friends. In a country whose official religion is Islam, the very religion under which sodomy is a very serious crime punishable up to 20 years jail, and sodomy being an inherently homosexual activity, no homosexuals in their right mind would dare utter a single word to officially declare their homosexuality, let alone complain against another of their own and risk imprisonment. Correct me if I am wrong, but aside the 1998 trumped-up sodomy charge against Anwar, I have not yet come across a single news article highlighting or even mentioning the plight of homosexuals in Malaysia. It makes you wonder why a non-issue about homosexuals was suddenly discussed and addressed by Malaysian lawmakers in Parliament as a worrisome problem recently? Incidentally, this discussion in Parliament coincides with the timing of the current sodomy charge against Opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, the same fellow charged with the same offence in 1998.

I not only strongly feel that the Malaysian Government should not waste time debating the issue of homosexuality in Parliament because it is a non-issue, but also believe that the Government should not waste precious tax payers money to set up some silly government programmes to handle a non-issue, a problem that no one has ever complain about!

On behalf of right thinking Malaysians, I would like to appeal to the Malaysian Government, its machinery, its courts system and the law enforcers to PLEASE STOP THIS VILE ACT AGAINST A MALAYSIAN CITIZEN. Malaysians are disgusted and sickened by the whole sodomy debacle which is so obviously a political conspiracy against a single Malaysian politician who shows his concern for the plight of the masses. Please stop Malaysia from becoming the biggest laughing stock in the history of the world. Personally, I am not concerned about being laughed at by the world. That we can survive. I am more worried about Malaysia losing the innocence of her children and, more importantly, her conscience.

The Debate & Anwar : The Great Malaysian Statesman, a Far Cry from BN's Incompetence

Anwar Ibrahim showed what an excellent orator, great statesman and honourable gentleman he is. In Malaysia's first live debate on fuel price on 15 July 2008, Anwar won hands down over his opponent, the so-called Minister of Information, Shabery. If previously I had supported him/PKR simply because PKR is the only credible alternative to BN, but after last night's debate PKR has my vote, my family's, my relatives' and friends' votes ... heck, even my villagers' votes. At the very least, Anwar showed his concern for the plight and pain of the rakyat caused by the high food and fuel prices. At least, he has an action plan as to where he can get the RM3-5 billion to keep fuel price lower in order to ease the suffering of the rakyat.

Shabery, on the other hand, is UNPROFESSIONAL and lacks substance throughout the debate. He attacks the person rather than addresses the issues. He circumvents the issues, avoids answering a simple direct question, and is still feverished and obsessed with the fiery 'Anwar' of the 70s? Shabery is still stuck in 1974. Grow up, man! Get on with your life. Everyone else has moved on. By the way, Mr Minister of Information, if you have any honour left in you, resign from your post as promised (you failed big time, man!) and go back to school to learn some basic economics, debating skills and good governance.

Shabery, like the others in UMNO & BN, they couldn't care less whether the people starve to death! They even applaud the fuel price hike just to have an upper hand over their political foes. Shabery and the whole UMNO & BN wolf-pack are completely insensitive and unconcerned about the plight of Malaysians. Yes, we all know fuel price hike is a global issue..Anwar knows that, we all know that...but being an oil-producing country, if the govt can do something, anything, no matter how small, to ease the burden of the rakyat, we - the rakyat - will love you and will be indebted to you. Anwar has already listed the few sources of funds that the govt can set aside to keep fuel prices low for the rakyat. Anwar has the heart and the brains to help the rakyat. How come ALL the cabinet ministers, all the BN MPs, UMNO-hooligans put together cannot come anywhere close to thinking a little bit like Anwar. From last night, it's so obvious this Shitbery has the typical mentality of UMNO/BN...just plain stupid, corrupted and incompetent.

And to top the Government incompetence, Malaysians have to put up with academic fools in the person of one Nordin Kardi, if ever there is such a fool. Is he really the Vice Chancellor of UUM? From which sewer did they pick this guy? Nordin Kardi brings shame and total disgrace to the Malaysian academic circle! He does not even know what an IPP is! And a Vice Chancellor who cannot pose a simple question?! It is a sad day for UUM... your VC has just destroyed your repute as a dignified university. The staff & students of UUM should band together and kick Nordin Kardi back to the sewer where he came from.

Can the BN Government not see that lowering the price of fuel by even 50 sen could put a rein on the spiraling prices of food and other consumer products? Striving to keep fuel price low will not only contribute towards curbing inflation but also, and more importantly, helping to alleviate the suffering of the people caused by rising fuel and food prices. Why is Prime Minister Badawi and his deputy Najib blind to this simple fact? Why are the BN Members of Parliament blind to this fact? They continue to applaud their action to hike the fuel price, saying this is beyond their control because price hike is a global issue. Isn't everything in this day and age a global issue, whether directly or indirectly? Every issue, global or not, that affects the masses has be addressed and resolved. Or at least, attempts must be seen to be made to try and resolve the issue. It is not good governance and is, indeed, a great social injustice to just say that the price hike is a global issue and then rest on your laurels. You must be seen by the people to be trying to do something about it. Giving the RM625 per year direct rebate to vehicle owners only aggravates inflation and will have no impact at all on easing the people's burden in the face of rising prices. I wonder where BN and these UMNO people studied their basic economics? Saudara Anwar should teach the UMNO & BN people a thing or two about simple economics and good governance.

In the end, the whole issue is about the People, the Rakyat, the masses. I am only interested in the oil price issue vis-a-vis the Rakyat. To me, the bottom line is: in the face of economic hardship caused by rising prices, Anwar gives the people HOPE. That is the crux of the matter. Whether he is successful or not in eventually lowering fuel price does not matter much to me in this time of hardship. The important thing is Anwar gives me hope for tomorrow. He convinces us that tomorrow will still be alright. Yes, the fuel price hike is a global problem, but we still have some control over our own economy if only we know how to manage our resources. It is a matter of proper management and good governance. The key to the rakyat's heart is to let the people know you feel their pain, and to give them HOPE for the future.