Lulu's Resolutions To Y2008 - Both Related To Diets

1. Lower my cholesterol level.
I did my medical check-up in September, and confirmed what I already suspected - that I've high cholesterol. What surprised me was that it wasn't just high, it was extremely high.
It's due to a combination of my love for pig's spare parts, mutton, chips and other sorts of crisps plus this high cholesterol thingy runs in my family.
I can't change my genetics, so, looks like I have to work towards changing my diet.
This is gonna be tough especially since I discovered this gem of a place in Sg Way which does pork soup and the appearances of JCo & Big Apple's glazed donuts which I adore.
Will I be able to resist the calls of my chee-yun and glazed donuts? As it is, I'm already drooling as I type this out.
It gonna take a lot of effort to resist, but I have to remember that my cholesterol level's not going to be able to tahan anymore.

2. Change my MP and State Assemblyman.
Remember Lulu's diet plan?
Remember No More Oyster Fried Mihun?
For those of you who do not know, Oyster's Lulu's State Assemblyman and Fried Mihun is the MP.
Thanks to MCA itself with a lot of help from the Fried Mihun MP, the Oyster is probably not going to be running in Kg Tunku come the next GE. [erh.... i'm not sure if he already knows this] You could say that half quarter of Lulu's diet plan has been completed. Was thinnking half at first as it's bye-bye Oyster, but Lulu needs to make sure the right person comes in his place. It would be horrors for Lulu if the shallow talk-show host were to replace him.
The Fried Mihun definetly needs to be replaced. In terms of policies and nation building, she has added very little value. Whatever her role is in parliament has been curbed by their Masters. She and her other comrades have been reduced to nothing but yes-men. By staying silent in issues, she has consented the spiralling downhill of this nation.
As with all diets, this diet requires effort and sacrifice. Lulu has already responded to Tony Pua's call for volunteers.
Are you also concerned about the condition of this nation?
Do you look at what's happening in the nation at this point of time and extrapolate it to when your children become adults and get really worried?
Would you like to join Lulu in her diet plan?
All sorts of help is required.
The most urgent and at the same time, the simplest to fulfil is to be a polling agent. Polling agents sit in the polling station on Election Day to mark the names on the electoral rolls every time when a voter walks in. Elections are usually held on a Sunday, and if it is a weekday, then a public holiday is declared. You need not take leave to play this role.

I resolve to work at keeping my resolutions lest they end us as fantasies.

It has been a difficult 2007 for Malaysia, I pray for a better 2008!
Have a Happy New Year!

Lulu Doesnt Know Who The "Pemimpin Politik" Is, But He Must Be Satisfied With The Service

"If they are not satisfied with our service, then why come to our hospital? They came on Nov 26. According to logic, if you don't have confidence in our doctors, then why come?"

Lulu doesn't know who this "Pemimpin Politik" is. He may not even be a "Pemimpin Politik" but someone who looks like a certain "Pemimpin Politik".
whoever he is, he must be one satisfied customer going in full confidence :D

update 8:09pm
Lulu just watched the TV2 news.
As usual, there's a witchunt on [surprise! surprise!] who's responsible for the filiming and the distribution of the dvd.
Nothing mentioned on who is the chief actor of the pemimpin politik yang terlampau series.
What got Lulu surprised was that the statement "dvd yang dirakam dua tahun yang lalu". hmm... how did they know it was recorded two years ago? Was there a date stamp?

updates 6:05pm 1 Jan
"If they are not satisfied with our service, then why come to our hospital? They came on Nov 26. According to logic, if you don't have confidence in our doctors, then why come?"
Chua Soi Lek admits to being the satisfied one.
Don't know if Lulu is supposed to be comforted by his admission that "the woman is a personal friend", as in he does not frequent prostitutes.
Malaysiakini notes that Chua hinted that he was a victim of a political conspiracy within the party.

-----------------------------

DVD ‘aksi seks pemimpin politik’ disebar di Batu Pahat
MUAR 30 Dis. – Cakera padat digital (DVD) yang didakwa mengandungi adegan hubungan seks antara seorang pemimpin politik nasional berasal dari Johor dengan seorang wanita berusia 20-an kini tersebar di Muar dan Tangkak sejak semalam.
Selepas penyebaran meluas secara percuma di Muar kelmarin, DVD tersebut dikatakan mula disebarkan pula ke daerah Batu Pahat hari ini.
Rakaman hubungan seks itu yang diambil menerusi kamera litar tertutup (CCTV) selama sejam dipercayai dirakamkan di dalam sebuah bilik hotel.
Bagaimanapun, lokasi hotel itu tidak diketahui.
Sejak laporan mengenai DVD itu tersiar dalam beberapa akhbar berbahasa Cina hari ini, DVD tersebut dikatakan ‘disembunyikan’ oleh para pengedar kerana bimbang tindakan polis.
DVD itu mengandungi dua bahagian iaitu A dan B yang diedar secara percuma di beberapa lokasi sejak malam semalam.
Bahagian A memaparkan aksi lucah hubungan seks antara seorang lelaki yang didakwa sebagai pemimpin politik dengan seorang wanita menggunakan satu kamera CCTV.
Bahagian B pula menayangkan rakaman hubungan seks dari empat penjuru daripada kamera CCTV berlainan melibatkan ‘pelakon’ yang sama.
Berdasarkan gerak tubuh dan bayangan dalam DVD itu, masyarakat di Muar percaya ia hampir 70 peratus menyerupai wajah pemimpin politik tersebut.
Namun, percakapan serta wajah pemimpin itu dari dekat tidak begitu jelas digam barkan di dalam DVD itu.
Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, Ketua Polis Johor, Datuk Hussin Ismail yang dihubungi Utusan Malaysia petang ini memberitahu, pihaknya masih belum menerima sebarang laporan berhubung penyebaran DVD itu.
“Sehingga petang ini belum ada laporan yang diterima, justeru kita tidak boleh siasat dan buat apa-apa kenyataan setakat ini,” katanya- Utusan

Lulu Wishes Everyday Was Pre-Election Day

don't you just love it - these days leading up to the General Elections?

yesterday, Lulu read via Malaysiakini that four ISA detainees were released after five years of detention.

today, Lulu reads that the Herald, which reports on the Catholic community in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil and Chinese, has had its permit renewed.
The good news was a surprise as
1. It was delivered to them on a Sunday morning, and that's kind of surprising as government offices work 5-day week, don't they
2. There were no conditions attached.
Father Lawrence, the Editor of the Herald thanks Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, the news agencies and other media groups for supporting them with their wide coverage. Lulu echoes the thanks. If it had remained a silent suffering, it would also have died a silent death.

Don't you luv-luv-luv this pre-election season? Who knows, we may be lucky and receive news that a certain son-in-law will be an ambassadorial position to Pakistan. sigh... Lulu's being greedy, isn't she?

btw, sidetrack a bit-ah...
remember how those MIC youth fellas so enthusiastically "defended" the Christians over Makkal Osai's publishing a picture of Jesus holding a beer can on his one hand and cigarettes in his other hand? Wah... those fellas felt so indignant over the picture, they even lodged a police report, a 4 page memorandum to the PM and eventually, succeeded in getting a one month suspension for the paper.
Lulu doesn't recall hearing even a whimper on this from these enthusiastic heroes.

Lulu Is Not Impressed With The SmartTag Discount

Samy Vellu, maybe in preparation for his retirement, played the role of spokesman, poster boy and salesman for Rangkaian Segar recently, announcing the 10% disount on purchases of SmartTags.

wow!
the offer was decided upon after discussions between the Government, highway concessionaires and Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd,

What Samy Vellu didn't mention was that these tags are a new batch with "improved" features.
There is no LCD display of the balance on the card with this version. Production costs would reduce significantly when you build it without a tag-reader and the LCD display.

buy it if you choose to. It's quite convienient, don't for a minute think that PLUS or Samy Vellu has done you a favor by giving you a discount.

forget about the discount. There's no real discount. You're getting a product with less features, and they're probably making a bigger profit that before.

btw, Lulu still doesn't know if Smart Tags will still be the way to go when the gantry system is introduced.

Why Lulu Thinks Being The President of Selangor Badminton Association is Important To Zakaria

Zakaria and his team were ousted not once but twice in the recently held Selangor Badminton Association biennial general meeting.
Instead of recognising that he is not wanted there anymore, Zakaria twice threatened to use his political connections to oust the current executive council.

The new team aka Subramaniam’s team were elected in a BGM which was held on Dec 9, 2006, kicking out the office bearers led by Zakaria.
Then comes someone with a political connection (don't know if it's a coincidence) and asked them to postpone the BGM, citing an oral request by Zakaria and pressure from certain quarters.
He (Elyas Omar) had then written to Subramaniam on Feb 27, 2007 to say that since the BGM was not put off, it was thus invalid.
Follow so far?
As a result, a separate BGM was held on that stipulated date and those who were voted in on Dec 9th still won. This means Subramaniam’s team had oust Zakaria’s team once again.

Dua kali bertanding, dua kali kalah.
Sad to say, "political intervention" was still not willing to let go.
On two occasions - in July 26 and Dec 11- Elyas had met with the newly elected office bearers and asked for the BGM to be held again

Why is Zakaria so keen on holding on to the presidency?
Does he love the game so much?
Does he think that it could further some youth's life like how it did for the Sidek brothers?
Does he have plans to use the game to promote a healty lifestyle for the people of Selangor?
Do cows jump over the moon?

The answer, Lulu suspects, lies in this piece of seven acre land in Section 7, Phase 3B, Shah Alam applied by the Selangor Badminton Association and approved by the PKNS. And our friend Zak is the PKNS land committee which approved the application.
Poor Zak miscalculated, lost hold of the SBAM presidency and with it, the land worth RM6,133,834.20.

For further reading
Malaysiakini Politicians accused of meddling in badminton association
Malaysia Today 02/11: Zakaria involved in land request and approval

This One, Lulu Doesn't Have An Answer

Non-Muslims looked after
SEPANG: There are already various government committees and panels in existence that look after the affairs of non-Muslims in the country.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said various ministers in the Cabinet had been charged with the responsibility of looking after the interests of different religious groups.
“For instance, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting looks after the interests of the Buddhists, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu covers the Hindus and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok covers the Christians in the country.

What happens if the MCA President is a Christian, then who represents the Buddhist?
or if the MIC President is a Buddhist, then who represents the Hindus?
and what if they were all New Age-ers?
or if they all had a religion to their name but were non-practitioners?

The PM forgets that not every race is like the Malay race in Malaysia which dictates that if you are a Malay, therefore you are a Muslim by default.
[thankfully] there is no compulsion in religion for the non-Malays.
His idea of a solution is as shallow as his being.

Aiyoyo Samy... Even Lulu Knows The Answer To This

Samy Vellu was puzzled over why a paper had reported that non-Malays, especially Indians were not interested in government jobs.
“I am surprised over the report. I want to know the latest statistics, after which I will prepare a detailed report to be submitted to the cabinet, the prime minister and the deputy prime minister,” he was quoted as saying in the Star.
[sidetrack a bit - there Samy goes again, carrying out his responsibility by preparing a detailed report lol!]

well, if Samy really doesnt know, maybe he should ask his son.
or any of his MIC Central Working Committee's sons.
And just for a bit of variety lest he goes into a Hindraf tunnel vision and think it's a Indian only problem, go ask his friends in MCA why their children are not interested in government jobs.

Lulu Wonders How Long Would It Be Before The Secular Courts Insist That A Rape Victim Brings Forward 4 Rightstanding Muslims as Witnesses To The Crime

The Federal Court also ruled that Saravanan did not abuse the law by converting his four-year-old son to Islam without the knowledge of the mother.It said that according to Islamic law, only one parent need to be informed in the conversion of a child.The court also ruled that it was within the right of Saravanan as a Muslim to file the divorce proceedings in the Syariah Court.

Malaysiakini - Federal Court throws out Subashini's case

Yes, country’s highest court has decreed that.
So, now Lulu is wondering,
if that is to be taken as a preceedent,
then does that mean that in a rape crime where the victim and the accused are both Muslims,
can the accussed's lawyer in a secular court insist that it is within his client's right as a Muslim that the prosecution produce four credible witnesses who had seen the crime in action?
Afterall, just as Federal Courts has ruled that "according to the Islamic law", likewise, the Islamic law has rules on a rape proceeding too.

Is that how it works?

Lulu Doesn't Trust The Government Agencies and Other Greedy Buggers To Distribute The Flood Aid

year after year, they do it.
Lulu posted something like this a year ago.
now, 366 days later, Lulu makes the same plea, Lulu Encourages You To Help The Flood Victims but please be wise on who you want to channel the money through.

A little bird posted on RPK's site that UMNO Pahang in large-scale stealing of flood relief aid?
In Temerloh, two trailers full of rice went missing three days ago. The two trailers were despatched from the Bilik Gerakan Banjir or Flood Relief Operations Centre which is manned and run entirely by 'volunteers' who are from the UMNO Bahagian Temerloh. Rice wholesalers in Temerloh informed our staffers that some people came by later and offered to sell them a lorry load of rice at 'half price'.

In another estate area with almost 600 Indian flood victims, the UMNO 'volunteers' delivered just one sack of rice to be shared by 600 Indian estate workers and their children. The sack of rice was left at a flood relief centre located in a Tamil primary school near the estate. Then the estate workers were asked to initial a list acknowledging that they had received a complete set of flood supplies (rice, oil, canned food, sugar, salt, bottled water and blankets). Obviously the remaining supplies had been hijacked by the UMNO 'volunteers' and sold off for cash elsewhere.

In other places the aid was given to UMNO members only. Other Malays, especially known Pas supporters, were denied aid. These stories are not being made up. They are first hand reports from Pahang that were told to us by flood relief workers themselves.

Please read on here for details on the modus operandi.

Stealing is bad, but to steal from people in need, in desparation, that is truly, truly evil.
These greedy buggers have no compassion for people who are suffering.
no conscience
and
no fear of God in them.

if you want to give, Capt (R) Azhar Lin 0162319750 left a comment on Rocky's post
Now, a few members have completed some ground surveys to look into the situation at hand but we are working to build up the supplies now, all by word of mouth and via smses so far. MRCS is planning some relief supplies deliveries that may involve us again as I have contacted some MRCS officers on the ground to inform them of our readiness to assist.
One collection centre is situated in
Wisma WIM, 7, Jln Hj Abang Openg, Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
(Contact : Mr Song @ 012 3988907)
As with last year, we're collecting foodstuff (non-perishable at this point of time) and other goods (baby diapers, clean clothings etc)
No cash (Please forward your cash donations to the MRCS, Jalan Ampang)

Use that channel if you want to give. Lulu trusts them more

suggestions on things to give (recycled from last year's list)
Perishable Food
Rice, Instant Noodle and Milk - Infant Formula and Adult, Can FoodChicken/Mutton/Beef, Vegetables, Sardines, Sugar, Coffee/Tea (Dust), Biscuits, Salt, Cooking Oil, Mineral Water
Non Perishable Food
Sanitary Pads, Pampers, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Towels, Soap, Detergent, Dettol, Slippers, Rubbish Bag
Medicines
Metronidazole, C.Penicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Anti-emetic - Metaclopramide, Antidiarrhoeal - Lomotil, Paracetomol tablets/suppository, Voltaran suppository and Antibiotic eye drops.
School Items
School Bags, Uniform, Books, Stationaries and Bicycles.

God bless!

Lulu Wishes Everyone Blessed Christmas

Lulu's Hopes You'd Include "Spending More Time With The Children" For New Year's Resolution

Lulu hopes you'll listen to the song and include it to your New Year's Resolution

Cats In The Cradle - Harry Chapin
A child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

My son turned ten just the other day.
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play.
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok."
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed,
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I'm gonna be like him."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Well, he came from college just the other day,
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

I've long since retired and my son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu,
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad.
It's been sure nice talking to you."
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Lulu Didn't Learn This From Malaysiakini

all this while, Lulu thought that Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) decided to toe the line and wait for the permit to proceed with the ISA virgil at the Dataran.

look what Lulu learnt from the Star
Lulu doesn't know whether to laugh or cry

Can Someone Advise Lulu What To Do Cos Johari May Just Arrest Her

“Only Muslims can use ‘Allah’. It’s a Muslim word, you see. It’s from (the Arabic (language). We cannot let other religions use it because it will confuse people,” he said when contacted today.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum as reported by Malaysiakini

For those of you who may not know, Lulu is an anak Selangor. And also a non-Muslim.
The Selangor state anthem goes like this

Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Selamat di atas takhta
Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku
Rakyat mohon restu bawah Duli Tuanku
Bahagia selama-lamanya
Aman dan sentosa
Duli Yang Maha Mulia

Lulu needs advise
what is Lulu supposed to do when the anthem reaches the "Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku"?
Is Lulu supposed to hum that bit or what?
hm...
Lulu's loyalty is towards her Sultan. so, Lulu guesses she will ignore what this Deputy Internal Security Minister has decreed and sing the anthem in whole.
And if he does invite me to Bukit Aman, could you all hold a virgil outside Lulu's cell and include the anthem to Lulu's songlist?
thanks

Lulu Will Be Attending This On Friday

ISA Arrests of HINDRAF 5 – Operation Lalang II in the Making?
The invocation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) to arrest five Hindraf leaders is most deplorable and marks another violation of the pledge by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to promote democracy, uphold human rights and defend the rule of law.
The five detained under the ISA are P. Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasanthakumar.
The return of the ISA is another regression of Malaysia to the dark era of human rights violations which can only tarnish the country's international reputation and image.
Is Operation Lalang 2 in the works with the warning by the Deputy Internal Security Minister, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum that "a list of names had been submitted by the police and it was only a matter of time before several others were detained under the ISA".

The DAP is organising a forum on the above issue with the following details:
Date: 21st December 2007 (Friday)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
The distinguished panel of speakers will include:
YB Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
YB M Kulasegaran, MP for Ipoh Barat
YB Fong Kui Lun, MP for Bukit Bintang
Sdr Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General
Sdr A Sivanesan, DAP Central Executive Committee Member
Other speakers to be confirmed

Statements Which Makes Lulu Roll Her Eyes And Despair

KT did a series of interview with Malaysiakini recently

roll eyes
Khir Toyo: I cry for the squatters too
Khir Toyo: No land given to 'cronies'

and despair
Khir Toyo: I want to continue as MB

the only good thing Lulu can see in the despairing statement is that at least we don't have to make another greedy bugger rich

Please, change your State Assemblyman too!

Lulu Tried To Watch The RTM1 Interview With The One Known As Semi Value

but it was difficult.
During the 5 minutes which Lulu watched, Semi Value had this stack of research books in front of him. He was showing them off one by one to the interviewer, telling him about how MIC has documented the plights of the Indians and given recommendation to the PM.
And there was his boast about how he brings it up to the PM during Cabinet meetings and also during his own personal meetings with him.
And for Semi Value, his job seems to end when he hands over the research book to the PM.
Post that, he blames it on "though approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, had not been implemented at the ground level."

Lulu found it very painful to continue watching the interview. For one, he's got the famous `Kemaluan saya besar' type of bahasa and it kinda confuses this Lulu. Then there's his "I've done everything. Stop blaming me" attitude. It was pathetic. So, Lulu gave up and switched channels.

Lulu was glad that the NST mentioned his interview in Delivery system can be improved, says Samy Vellu
Lulu is totally shocked that he has this kind of mentality and consider something like this as a benchmark of his success.

He said Indians were much better off today than 50 years ago."Once upon a time, Indians used to earn RM250 to RM300 a month. Now they earn about RM1,500 to RM2,000 a month.

He is oblivious, isnt he, on the inflation rate since 1957?
We're now in 2007, entering 2008. The government is talking about doing away with 1sen coins as it is worth nothing.
Lulu guesses when you're living in a mansion, wearing expensive "disposable" shirts, you kinda lose touch of reality.
Sad isn't it?

For A Moment, Lulu Thought There Was A Blanket Ban On The PM

Lulu was reading the Star and the NST today, and notice there was no mention of the PM today.
Most politicians are having their field day with flood related news. Either they are in the thick of the photo-action, or they are in the city accepting donations. They have had their photos and statements printed in the first five, six pages of the paper. Even Najib was all over the newspaper.
BUT
there was no mention of the prime minister.
Silence.
For a moment there, Lulu thought that maybe he got into someone's bad books and kena black-out by the local press.
This is Malaysia... these things happen. Sometimes, Zam gives a directive to the papers on the sort of news they should and should not publish. And then sometimes, a political party gives directives to their papers on media blackouts to certain young up and rising politicians from the opposition.
It happens, causing Lulu to wonder if it happened to the PM.

How can the papers have no propoganda stuff on our glorious leader?
then it dawned upon Lulu....

it was time for him to take his annual rest.
You know-la... he works so hard.
He deserves his holiday.
You know-la... he has to read so many of those MIC recommendations
He deserves his holiday.

even though thousands and thousands of Malaysians are affected by the floods, suffering and staying in schools and dewans, he deserves his very expensive holiday.

Updated Fri 21/12 There was an article on the PM celebrating Hari Raya Haji in Kepala Batas. So, looks like there's no media blackout and he was still in the country yesterday.

It's Not Just The MP Lulu Wants Voted OUT

the state assemblyman has to go too!

The MBPJ was passed without a whimper from any of them.

every year, KT encourages them to go on "educational trips" and we've yet to experience any improvements from their "educational trips",

and now, that little piece of land in front of your house is no longer safe.

http://203.115.192.117/monday/index.html

The Selangor government has deemed that the Street, Drainage and Building, the National Land Code and other related laws can be ignored in the “interests of nation-building”.

This means that anything can be erected anywhere with total disregard for the law.
The road reserve in front of your house or the children’s playground is no longer safe. Land
set aside for public amenities, open space, recreational areas and buffer zones can be used for other purposes. As long as it does not “inconvenience” residents, affect cleanliness or cause
traffic jams, any structure, including stalls can be built on such land, regardless of its legal status.

This is what the Selangor government, with the help of your assemblyman has done to us!

When the school’s PTA chairman Syed Abdul Razak Alsagoff pointed out that the committee’s decisions were not binding as the High Court had declared that it is not a legally constituted
body, Puasa retorted that all the committee’s decisions were endorsed by the State Executive Council.
Puasa admitted that having served as assistant district officer, he was aware that road reserves cannot be touched, but said “it was a directive from the state”.

Lulu knows that there are some who are thinking that they want to keep their BM State Assemblyman so that their roads will be paved and their playground maintained. Let Lulu tell you here and now that the money to do all this should be allocated in the Majils Perbandaran budget. We have paid our assesment.

If we can only get our amnenities done if the State Assemblyman is a BN fella, then that is outright blackmail, bribery and threats.

Lulu will take the position that these will be done by the town council as the other alternative would mean that your state assemblyman is a blackmailing bully.

Think of the MBPJ budget

think of the billboard money which goes, not to the council coffers, but to the Sports Club

think of the playgrounds in your neighbourhood which had part of it's land stolen by some UMNO branch which wants to put up a cabin

think of Zakaria and his mansion

think of the way temples were torn down without waiting for the deities to be removed

think of Kg Berembang and how the MPAJ and police assisted in the tearing down of the houses when the "developer" did not have the rights for vacant possesion of Kg Berembang

think of Khir Toyo in power another 5 years...

you still want to go through another round of warlords?

vote out your state assemblyman too!

Lulu Heaves A Sigh Of Relief - SCC Bill Debate Postponed

Aiyoh! Lulu Is Such A Lulu!

remember this, and how Lulu was ranting about how 5(1) and 5(2) are would mean limiting the terms of service of the IGP and the two DGs?
sorry for leading you on a wild goose chase. Lulu misunderstood it.
It says, perenggan 4(1)(a) dan (e). Meaning 4(1)(a) and (e), not 4(1)(a) to (e).

I guess this is what happens when you read in a hurry. You need time to understand and digest.
The first reading of the bill, the first time it was introduced was on Thursday, and is expected to be tabled in Parliament today, even as Lulu types in this entry.

It is rushed. There was no known consultation on this bill. The Bar Council (to put it mildy) is disturbed by the content. Three of the commissioners appointed in the Royal Commission which recommended for a IPCMC have voiced their (again to put it mildly) dissatisfaction.

Lulu thinks the MPs need more time to study and understand the bill.
What if, in their haste, they lulu like Lulu?

Lulu Wants Justice and Peace for Mothers Like Sara Lily George

The name Sara Lily George may not be a familiar name to you.
how about G. Francis Udayapan?
Francis is Sara Lily's son.
The suffering of Sara Lily George, a mother who has lost her son, is witnessed by an entire nation.

According to reports, the deceased had been arrested and taken into police custody on April 14th 2004, on charges of an alleged theft of a hand-phone and the use of a stolen motorbike. Brickfields police had claimed that Francis escaped on April 16th by jumping out of the first floor window whilst being taken for interrogation, then squeezing himself through a hole in the fence and jumping into the Klang river, behind the police station.
Francis's body was fished out of a river in May 2004. His mother claims her son was beaten to death by police and his body later thrown into a nearby river.
Representatives and supporters from NGOs and interest groups have described the discovered body as looking too good and too intact for one that has been submerged in water for 37 days (the amount of time that elapsed since the deceased allegedly jumped into the Klang river).
Sara Lily has also complained that she, her family members and her lawyers have apparently been harassed by the police, over their allegations concerning the case.

Which avenue could Sara Lily go to seek justice, a fair answer to how her son died?
The fake Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) has the IGP as a compulsory member. Investigation would still be biased, not just due to his presense but also by unwritten code to protect one another and consequences of breaking ranks. It is a diluted version of a complaints and misconduct commission.

“Something has to be done. Today it’s Francis (that we are mourning). We don’t know how many more victims of injustice there will be,”
If you are thinking, "it does not affect me. my children will not end up like this.", please don't. Lulu has seen lovely, lovely people who have had not-so-good children. And you don't even have to be bad to be dragged into the police station. Look at the Hindraf31.

The IPCMC, considered the most crucial of the 125 recommendations made by Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police.
Lulu wants a real Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, not the fake they've given us.

Lulu Struggled As She Read Through The Fake IPCMC Bill

for one, [ala william hung] Lulu has had no professional training in legal matters,
and
it didn't help that the legal jargon was in malay.

struggle-struggle-struggle, not sure how much of it Lulu understood.
Then Lulu reached pg 36.
and found out that the english version starts there!

Lulu's not started with the english version yet. Not sure if it would be any easier to comprehend as Lulu has never understood any of those contracts she signed, counting on the schedule summaries at the end of the contract.
but perservere, I must.

Also, an update on the speakers tomorrow.
Tunku Aziz, Royal Police Commission member and former President of Transparency International Malaysia,
Datuk Param Cumaraswamy, former United Nations Special Rapporteur for Independence of Judges and Lawyers,
Malek Imtiaz, President of Hakam,
Ragunath Kesavan Vice President Bar Council
Others are still being contacted.
Tomorrow, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, 7:30pm

Lulu Wonders What Next - Razak Baginda Claims He Ditipu?

Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail telah diminta menimbangkan rayuan yang dibuat oleh 31 pengikut Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supaya dakwaan terhadap mereka di mahkamah digugurkan dengan alasan telah ditipu.
“Saya [our wonderful caring PM] telah meminta Peguam Negara supaya mengkaji rayuan ini dan membuat keputusan secepat mungkin kerana mereka ini sebenarnya telah ditipu oleh Hindraf.

Utusan 31 pengikut Hindraf dakwa ditipu

if the charge is valid, pursue the charge in court.
what is this nonsense about the PM "the 31 protesters had said that many people had been misled by Hindraf", “They also told the A-G that they will not participate in such activities in the future" and “I pity them. I have told the A-G to please consider this representation of theirs and decide as soon as possible”?
but we all know, the charge is a ridiculous charge. Trying to nail 61 people [another 30 suspects are at large] on an attempted murder charge of one person.
If 61 people wanted to murder the policeman, do you seriously think the policeman would still be alive?
What is the evidence? Do they have a brick / some bricks with the 61 individual fingerprints? Do they have photo and video evidence of the deed?

pooh and pah and ptui!
If the murder charges are dropped, it's not because we have a kind and caring PM. It's because the charges were faulty.

"ditipu" and our drama minggu ini's favourite "insaf" - maybe someone should suggest to Wong Kian Kheong, the political analyst’s counsel, to whisper that his client was ditipu and sudah insaf into our PM's big ears.

update 1:30pm Mon AG drops attempted murder charge

Lulu Thinks This Poor Replacement of An Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Bill Looks Like A Rush Job

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timur) stood up in the House and questioned whether the Bill was actually the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill.
“Is this replacing the IPCMC Bill? If it is not, then why is it not called the IPCMC Bill,” he questioned.
Nazri continued according to procedure -- he was not obliged to answer any MP when tabling a Bill for the first reading.

The Star Tabled: Bill to set up Special Commission
Looks like Mr "yes, we have a Witness Protection Act" is more willing to oblige the Press than the Opposition Leader.

The much awaited Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) was unveiled yesterday in parliament as the Special Complaints Commission (SCC).
It will address complaints of misconduct not just against the police but all enforcement agencies.Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz tabled the first reading of the bill in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

NST News Focus: Parliament unveils Special Complaints Commission (The former IPCMC)

Lulu was glancing through the "former IPCMC" Bill.
This part here just doesn't make sense

[a translation of the part that doesn't makes sense]
4(1) The commisision must comprise of the following
(b) Inspector-General of Police
(c) Public Complaints Bureau director-general,
(d) Head of Anti-Corruption Agency

then we have

5(1) The member of commission listed in 4(a) to (e) must (hendaklah) hold the post for no more than 2 years
(2) A member of commission may be re-appointed, but no member is allowed to hold the post for more than two consecutive terms.

Lulu's wondering, the Inspector-General of Police, Public Complaints Bureau director-general, the Anti-Corruption Agency, don't most of them hold their positions for more than 4 years?
If so, how can they fulfil requirement 4(1) and 5(2) at the same time?

Unless, of course... the next bill is that no Inspector-General of Police, Public Complaints Bureau director-general, the Anti-Corruption Agency will serve more than four years in those positions.
Lulu thinks it's a sham.
And it also shows our IGP's IQ level

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan described the
SCC as a fair investigation commission."I have seen and read the full draft for
the SCC before it was presented in parliament. "I am confident that it would be
a fair body and would bring fairness in its dealings," said Musa yesterday.

NST Special Complaints Commission: Critics 'clueless about country's legal system'
[lol! look who's clueless!]

It is believed that the Bill is going to be hurriedly rushed through Parliament on Tuesday or Wednesday.
You can find the bill at the Bar Council Website [click here]
Take time to read it.
If you have queries, or are dissatisfied with some terms, jot them down.
If you notice missing links between this proposal and what the IPCMC is about, jot them down.
Then,
you could try to contact your MP [click here for their contact] ala People's Parliament [here and here] but let Lulu tell you that they were let down by their BN MP when the bill was approved with not just 2/3 majority but also record attendance.

Alternatively, you can attend a forum organised by Lim Kit Siang. He needs to hear your views and bring them forward to Parliament.

KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Auditorium
Monday, 17th December 2007 at 7.30 pm

if you are unable to go, Lulu suggests you mail Uncle Kit at limkitsiangblog@gmail.com and copy his assistant Lau Weng San at lauwengsan@gmail.com

Lulu will somehow find the time to read all 70 pages of the bill.
Lulu wants the police to regain their dignity and respect in the eyes of the public and especially with the young children.
And how can the police regain the respect of the public if they are not willing to subject the wrong doers to a fair and independant panel?

Lulu Wondering, When Khir Toyo Says "connection with powerful politicians", Is He Refering To All, Or Just Those Not Affliated To Him

Lulu thinks we, the normal people, have long known of those Little Napoleon and have to lived with their high-handedness.
Those who approve billboards and channel the funds to the Sports Club, land grabbers who alienate land to themselves, even those who declare that a circus in un-Islamic during the fasting month in the township of Puchong and the likes of them.

Now Khir Toyo talks about "declared war on the Little Napoleons in the state", "the days of these crafty civil servants are numbered", "put a stop to this ugly culture" and so on.

Somehow, Lulu doesn't seem to be convinced about his request "All council presidents have been told to submit to me the names of the problematic civil servants, even those with political connection"
Come on.... how many do you think would have a list containing Toyo's men?
If there was, how far do you think that list will go?
Lulu thinks this is more of a witch hunt to clean out those who are against him.

sigh... if only if was a real, genuine clean-up

Maybe Badawi Had A Different Upbringing From Lulu's And Never Read "The Emperor's New Clothes"

Lulu read a lot when she was small.
Badawi probably didn't, and still doesn't, resulting in his very limited ability to think.

Many years ago, there lived an emperor who was quite an average fairy tale ruler, with one exception: he cared much about his clothes. One day he heard from two swindlers named Guido and Luigi Farabutto that they could make the finest suit of clothes from the most beautiful cloth. This cloth, they said, also had the special capability that it was invisible to anyone who was either stupid or not fit for his position.
Being a bit nervous about whether he himself would be able to see the cloth, the emperor first sent two of his trusted men to see it. Of course, neither would admit that they could not see the cloth and so praised it. All the townspeople had also heard of the cloth and were interested to learn how stupid their neighbors were.
The emperor then allowed himself to be dressed in the clothes for a procession through town, never admitting that he was too unfit and stupid to see what he was wearing. He was afraid that the other people would think that he was stupid.
Of course, all the townspeople wildly praised the magnificent clothes of the emperor, afraid to admit that they could not see them, until a small child said:
"But he has nothing on!"
This was whispered from person to person until everyone in the crowd was shouting that the emperor had nothing on. The emperor heard it and felt that they were correct, but held his head high and finished the procession.

Those BN fellas will be approaching people at shopping malls and government-backed events [lol!] to obtain the signatures to prove that the public opposes recent street protests that have roiled national politics.
Are you going to be like the child and say things as they are, or are you going to join the pretenders?

Lulu Doesn't Know V Ganabathirau Personally, But Tony Pua Does

What makes the whole ugly episode we saw today close to me, is that Gana is a member of DAP Damansara branch, of which I'm the chairperson. Gana joined me in March this year, and subsequently helped form the Taman Muda branch in Shah Alam, of which he is the advisor.
Having known him for the past 8 months or so, I can't claim to know him inside out. But there are somethings which I will vouch for him with my life.Gana is not a racist. He is not a religious fanatic and neither is he in anyway at all, a terrorist as he is insinuated to be. Having known him well in recent months, he is the complete opposite of what the Pak Lah administration, through the mainstream mouthpieces will like to paint him to be.
Gana is a good man. He has sacrificed selflessly to help create a better Malaysia for all Malaysians, particularly for the underprivileged and marginalised community. He has rose quickly to prominence through sheer tenacity, hardwork, eloquence and dedication to the cause. 30,000 Indians from all parts of Malaysia walked the streets of Kuala Lumpur not because they had nothing better to do, but because they shared his cause, and they believed that "enough is enough!"

It's taken from Tony Pua's blog at http://tonypua.blogspot.com/2007/12/v-ganabathirau.html Go there to read Tony's full entry on Ganabathirau
Posts from James Lim, a close friend of Gana http://jameslimblog.blogspot.com/search?q=gana

Do you still think that Lulu's being over emotional in holding back the tears? These are real people a real heart and real families with real life.

Lulu Thinks Lee Chong Ming Should Run For Bukit Bintang Again

Afterall, he is the advisor of Damai, an umbrella body comprising 395 non-governmental organisations representing nearly 1.5 million members.

With 1.5 million members backing him, considering that our population is 27 million, and if 50% of our population is of voting age, and that the NGOs are mainly concentrated in the Klang Valley,
that means he would have the backing of more than 30-40% of the Klang Valley voting population.
That's a very strong percentage.
Add the 3,000-4,000 postal votes [you know... those votes at army camps which no one ever talks about how it is done]
That is such a safe seat for the one aka Doktor Ayam.

Go for it Lee Chong Ming.
1.5 million NGO members
3-4K postal votes
Don't need to put a proxy there. Go for it.
Tell OKT about the 1.5 million NGO members. Tell OKT to let you run. Show him Lulu's numbers.

Then maybe you can get those bloggers like Lulu to stop making fun about you not being the MP who was not elected.

representing 1.5 million NGO members kononnya...

Lulu Shares With You The Sequence Of Arrest

Kenghadharan was the first to be picked up at his office in Petaling Jaya at around 12.30pm by a police team from from Bukit Aman
Next was Ganabatirau who was nabbed in Seremban.
According to Ganabatirau's brother Raidu, the lawyer was arrested by a police Special Branch team led by ASP Zairulnain Lamat from Bukit Aman.“When asked why he was being arrested, he (Zairulnain) said that it was under the ISA,” Raidu told Malaysiakini.
At about 2:00pm. the only non-lawyer from the group, P.Vasantha Kumar was roped in while having lunch in a restaurant in Brickfields.
Meanwhile, Manoharan was arrested near his legal firm in Jalan Pantai, Kuala Lumpur.

whereas Uthayakumar was the last to be detained at 2.30pm from his legal firm in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Uthayakumar was in his Menara Mutiara office in Bangsar when about 10 policemen, one in uniform and the rest in plainclothes turned up in unmarked cars at about 2.40pm and told him that he was being detained under the ISA.
Uthayakumar was told by police to leave his belongings, including his handphone before being led away to Bukit Aman.

All five have been sent to the Kamunting Detention Camp in Taiping.
Internal Security Minister Datuk Seri Abdulah Ahmad Badawi signed their detention order.

Lulu Wondering Why The Parliament Is Discussing Increments For The House Speaker and His Deputies

On inflation, he said the average rate for the first 10 months was 1.9%, falling well within the government's 2% to 2.5% target for the year.
The official inflation projection for 2008 is also between 2% and 2.5%.
Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop source : here

On this year’s inflation rate, Najib said it was expected to be about 2%.
source : here

With such a low inflation rate, why is there a debate on a salary increment for Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib and Datuk Lim Si Cheng?
cos they're doing a good job?
source :
The Star 4-day suspension for MP Kulasegaran
Malaysiakini Kula suspended for four days

Lulu's Trying Not To Cry In The Office

but it's so hard to hold back the tears.

Five Hindraf leaders detained under ISA

PETALING JAYA: Police said they have detained all five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) under Section 8 (1) of the Internal Security Act.
The five are P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, R. Kenghadharan, V. Ganabatirau and Vasantha Kumar. They were picked up at various locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Seremban.
They will be detained for two years.
Yesterday, was released on police bail after having been arrested on Tuesday for a second sedition charge.
Uthayakumar was among three Hindraf leaders who were charged at the Klang Sessions Court on Nov 23 for allegedly making speeches to incite hatred at a gathering in Batang Berjuntai, Selangor, on Nov 16.

You know how Hindraf started?
They began as a few Hindu individuals, giving tuition and religious classes in Seremban.

Lulu Wishes Big Eared Dumbo Would Appear Too, Cos All She's Getting Now Is A Long Nosed Pinnochio

When people talk about big ears, Lulu thinks of Dumbo.
Dumbo is one of Walt Disney's character.
Born with big ears, the poor little elephant was lauged at. Dumbo, is too young to understand what the laughter is about, but old enough to know that it's aimed at him.
Cruelly separated from his mother by the circus, misunderstood and mistreated by the other animals, he's all alone in the world with "no warm trunk to cuddle up to, no one to dry his tears."
With his friend - a mouse named Timothy's help and guidance (and the help of a "magic feather"), Dumbo has the courage and determination to take a leap of faith that turns the taunting into cheers, and makes all his dreams soar.

When the PM said he has big ears, other than the "what's the point of having big ears when you don't use them?" thought, Lulu thought that's a big, big insult to Dumbo.
Dumbo was a sweetheart. Pure, sweet, big eyes, bat eyelid-bat eyelid, your heart just melts for him. Pushed out to a cruel world who not only did not accept him but taunted him. Dumbo may have at times lacked self confidence, but he did not lack courage or determination. He was focused and had the drive, but with lots of heart and at no one's expense, to do what it takes to acheive his aim - to be reunited with his mummy.

Our PM, on the other hand, is Jeanne's sweetheart. His eyelids are often shut. Pushed into a cruel world, he made it more cruel. Lulu doesnt know whether he has or lacks self confidence, courage or determination. Probably does. As for focus and drive, he leaves it to his son-in-law who has that plus little heart and at everyone's expense to do what it takes to acheive his aim - to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Our PM does not strike Lulu as a listening man. And definetly not a sweetheart Dumbo.
More of a Pinocchio.
A naughty lying boy.
Too lazy to move on his own, and needs someone to pull his string.
Pinocchio does have a virtuous ending though.
When Pinocchio discovers that a whale has swallowed Geppetto, the puppet single-mindedly journeys into the ocean and selflessly risks his life to save his father, thereby displaying that he deserves to be a real boy.

What do you think? Will our Pinocchio aka the PM have a virtuous ending?

As Different As The Earth And The Sky - Guess Which Group Lulu DIDN'T Shed Tears For

yup.

as different as the earth and sky.

One was attended by the poor and downtrodden.

They weren't paid to attend.

They paid out of their own pockets with whatever little money they had.

Their concerns were real and personal.

They weren't sponsored, and there was no hotel room stay.

Those who came the night before spent the night in temples in and around KL.

They were probably hungry.

They were treated like criminals.

Instead of having police protection, the police attacked them.

They didn't burn flags.

They didn't scream out in a murderous manner, asking for a foreign guest to come out.

They didn't demand a petite lady to come out and face a flag and effigy burning mob.

They were all heart, nothing about ambitions and personal gain.

They had tried to meet with the PM earlier.

They didn't go home in chauffer driven cars.

Some have still not gone home.

They can't because they had nasty charges cooked up against them.

They would have lost their jobs by now.

Lulu shed tears for them.

The other group? well, as the Bernama reports, "as different as the earth and the sky".

It's Not Often Lulu Sees Grown Men Fighting Back Their Tears

but Lulu saw quite a few last night.
Lulu was at the forum organised by the Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC-KLSCAH) on the topic of Malaysia After the Hindraf Rally.

Prior to the talk, the organisers put up the video clips of the event, like this one taken by Malaysiakini.


Lulu was holding back the tears as she watched. Doing the take a deep breath and a big gulp thing so that the tears do not flow down. Then Lulu looked around, and noticed that she was not alone. Grown men, young and old, were also doing the same. The uncle next to me took out his hankerchief and removed his glasses to wipe the tears.

Lulu's sure that most of you do not agree with the full Hindraf petition. But none of us can deny that there are Malaysians out there who are so down-trodden, there seems to be no way out for them. Poverty is a cycle which is very difficult to break out of.
And it's also very heart wrenching watching the very poor, yet trusting and hopeful in what Hindraf is trying to achieve, get surrounded by men in uniform and, in most cases, roughed up.
[Lulu's trying not to cry again]

Something is wrong with the country,
and something is wrong with us.
How can we continue to let this happen?
Is there anything we can do to make a difference?

You may have missed last night's talk, organised by the SCAH.
But there's another one on tonight, organised by DAP.
The speakers include A. Sivanesan, M. Manoharan, Kulasegaran and Lim Kit Siang.
NaSTee has this piece of news titled "Hindraf men DAP members" potraying as if ALL Hindraf people are DAP people, so DAP is behind Hindraf.
btw, They named Manoharan, but seems to have left out Sivanesan, who is not only a member, but a DAP CEC member.
The talk starts at 7:30pm,
at NUBE House, no12, Jln Tun Sambanthan 3 (beside Petronas)

Do try to come. Sorry for the late notice. Lulu got a flyer on this yesterday at the one organised by SCAH and thought that you may be interested to come.

Rashid Bill - Lulu's MP Couldn't Vote Cos She's In The Hospital

how did your MP Vote?

the Rashid bill calls for an "ammendment" in the constitution to change the retirement age of the Election Commission Chairman to 66. It is also of no coincidence that the current chairman is at that pivitol point.

Haris of the People's Parliament led an initiative for Malaysians to write to their MPs . He urged us to write to our MP and tell him or her that we want him to vote against the amendment bill. That we will check Hansard to make sure that if he or she speaks during the second and third reading of the bill, that he or she speaks against the bill.
Afterall, like what Haris says, our MP is there to represent us and not the party.

28 MPs were written to.
The MPs of Ampang, Ulu Langat, Tambun, Rasah, Pasir Gudang, Santubong, Gombak, Ipoh Timor, Subang, Bukit Bendera, Kelana Jaya, Bukit Katil, PJ Selatan, PJ Utara, Titiwangsa, Seputeh, Puchong, Ipoh Barat, Lembah Pantai, Jelutong, Bintulu, Cheras, Segambut, Selayang, Serdang, Batu Kawan, Miri and Shah Alam received letters from their constituents appealing them to say no to the bill.

What did we get?
We got a full attendance in Parliament yesterday!
According to the Sun, 189 voting in favour, including the sole Independent. This means 188 (out of the 198) BN MPs were in attendance at Parliament yesterday, setting a new record. A full house in Parliament!
All attending to vote in favor for the bill which people have written in to their MPs appealing to them to vote against.
All attending to vote in favor for the bill in spite of knowing what 40,000 Malaysians very public stand on what the issue is.

All attending to vote in favor for the bill because their political masters commanded them to.
You still want to vote for them?
Remember, they serve their political masters, not us.

[poster from mob1900, slightly edited cos ALL of them are like that]

A Lulu Song Dedication To Our Promise Breaking Prime Minister

remember this?

This was the Badawi led Barisan Nasional Manifesto Banner.

Those are his promises to the people.

* BARISAN NASIONAL is strongly committed to parliamentary democracy, which gives each citizen a say in the administration of this nation.
* BARISAN NASIONAL safeguards the interests of all citizens. We listen to and act on the hopes and aspirations of all groups regardless of age, gender, ethnic background and religion.

If you want to read the full text, go here.

What do you think? Unfulfiled promises? Blatant lies?

Lulu thinks the chorus of this song pretty much sums up a lot of Lulu's sentiments.

Janji Manismu - Aishah

Hati membeku mengingatkan

Kata janji manismu... oh...

Ku dilambung angan-angan

Belaian kasih sayang suci darimu

Oh kejamnya

Lidah tidak bertulang

Ucapan cinta menghiris kalbu

Ku kan pergi membawa diri

Cinta di hati terkubur lagi

to listen to the song, go here

Tony Pua, who had initially had plenty of faith in Badawi when he first took over the prime ministership of this country, is also [to put it Lulu mildly] very frustrated. Read his entry here

Lulu's Traveller Tales

Lulu was in London, making her way to Palace theatre to watch the Saturday afternoon matinee of Les Miserables. At the same time, there was a group of Palestinian supporters, marching for their cause.
Being a katak di bawah tempurung Malaysia, Lulu watched the procession in awe. The supporters marched by in an orderly fashion, carrying their banners, and voicing their protest through a loud hailer.
Ordinary people like Lulu stood along the pavement and watched as they marched passed.
And after they passed, we the ordinary people continued with our lives - shopping, eating and going to the theatre.
There was no drama or violence. The protestors were focussed in their cause and the police was supportive.

There was another time when Lulu was in Bangkok. As Lulu was making her way to Pratunam market, a yellow tee [probably] university students marched past Lulu. Based on their banners, Lulu guesses it was an anti-Thaksin protest.

Lulu watched as they marched past.

Then Lulu scooted off to Pratunam market as planned to do her shopping.

Point is, protests happens.

If the government is mature enough, there will be no real disruption to normal life.

For the government to block the road, it is nothing more than to create ill-will with the masses and lay the blame on the protestors.

For the government to unleash water chemical spray and tear gas, it does nothing more than to cause people pain and create an atmosphere of fear and chaos.

This is the government we've voted in, the one we put into power.

Remember that.

and do this.

Lulu's ex-HM Now A Datin Paduka

Fifteen people will receive the Darjah Kebesaran Datuk (DSIS) which carries the title Datuk or Datin Paduka for women.
Among them are president of the Pure Life Society orphanage Mother S. Mangalam, Irish nun Sister Ryan Ellen Philomena @ Sister Enda, who set up the Assunta School, and Journal Malaysian branch of the Royal Asiatic Society historian John Michael Gullick.

Lulu's an ex-Assuntarian, and is thrilled that Sister Enda is now Datin Paduka Sister Enda.

We read about these stupid, silly and narrow minded remarks made two MPs in Parliament

Tuan Syed Hood bin Syed Edros [Parit Sulong]: Not only statues, but fellow Yang Berhormat, go and see for yourselves, Christian crosses are displayed in front of schools. I do not understand the Ministry of Education, did the officers not see that, or is it our policy to allow such a thing? Nevertheless, I, as a responsible person to my religion, race, and country, I state my views that these statues need to be demolished, these crosses need to be destroyed and church influences in these schools need to be stopped. Also, the funds that are collected at these schools. Do we have a report? If possible, the ministry should reveal the funds for these schools. I was made to understand that these schools are also sponsored by the church.

source : Darn Malaysia

This was what was translated from the Hansard recordings of the Parliament sitting.

School Heads of mission schools face this kind of bigotry and stupid, silly & narrow minded thinking everytime they have to go to the ministry. This is an email to my Assunta alumni yahoogroup sent in Y2002 in the midst of a school segregation row.

When Mrs.George [our Senior Assistant] had to hold assemblies, she would say to us -"Sister has gone to the Ministry of Education".
If you happen to "stay back" that day, and see Sister drive back in her classic car - she would usually be looking quite annoyed.
I imagined that Sister has had another row at the ministry.
Recently, I read an article in the NST about the segregation of schools.
Sister was one of those interviewed in the article, and said Assunta had always been multi-cultural.
Nothing new to us but what Sister said next was interesting and possibly unknown to us, that is -if you went to the Ministry, you often deal with junior personnel who have no interest in moving your cause forward.
This made me wonder about the times Sister had "gone to the Ministry" to fight for, and protect the Assunta way of life.

And up to today, mission schools are still fighting to protect their way of life.

Junior officers all the way up to the ministers should open their eyes and see for themselves the product of mission schools. We are the testament of an education gone right.

Congratulations Datin Paduka Sister Enda!

Lulu Thinks It Was A Bad, Bad Move To Take The Bon In

It was a bad, bad move.

The lawyers who marched were on the police's "to do" list. Maybe not by name, but Lulu's sure that the authorities wanted to take in a few lawyers who marched, to be made an example.

But not the Bon. He was at the Bar Council premises.
A overzealous, over excited, under-thinking DBKL Corporal wanted to show the Bon and the Bar Council who's boss.
and whack, smack took him in.
little realising the consequences.
Not realising that what he did would incur the Bar's wrath against DBKL and the Police.

If they hadn't taken him in, it would have been "just" the group of 4 lawyers - Amir Hamzah Arshad, N. Surendren, R. Sivarasa and Latheefa Koya who were arrested.
Bar Council would have shown support, but Lulu thinks there would have been differing opinions within the Bar. There would have been those who felt strongly agains the 4 lawyers who defied the Bar Council's decision in cancelling the march and therefore, should be prepared to face the music, and there would have been those who hold to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which gives us freedom of expression and the right to assemble and as lawyers, it was their moral duty to uphold this piece of our constitutional right.

But taking the Bon in, especially for something as baseless as obstructing DBKL officers from removing banners from the Bar Council premises, has incurred the wrath of the Bar and united them in condemning the high handedness of the authorities.

Go check out the Bar Council website. Read the comments. You would see that the comments are united in condemning the Bon's arrest. There weren't as many comments with regards to the arrest of the 8. The Bon's arrest is being taken personally by the lawyers.

It was a bad, bad move to arrest the Bon.
And it's now a bad, bad move to charge him.

His case will be heard from March 3 to 5 next year.

They've tried to deny him bail under the kononnya "the lawyer’s act of defiance would create the perception that it is okay to defy the authorities”.
This same Attorney General did not even object to any bail application or ask any condition to bail in the Altantuya murder trial.

Bad, bad, bad move.
Lulu doesn't think it was part of the plan, but once it began, there's no turning back.

why "the Bon" and not Bon or Edmund Bon? If ever you meet Lulu, ask her:D

Repeat after Lulu, "Human Rights Day - "Dignity and justice for all of us!"

Repeat after Lulu,
"Human Rights Day - Dignity and justice for all of us!"
Repeat after Lulu,
"Human Rights Day - Dignity and justice for all of us!"Repeat after Lulu,
"Human Rights Day - Dignity and justice for all of us!"
Repeat after Lulu,
"Human Rights Day - Dignity and justice for all of us!"

Lulu Thought That Was Bad, It's Now Getting Worse

bersih.org
We have received reports that most, if not all, of the “BERSIH 10″ comprising mostly Unit Amal volunteers, have been arrested last night and this morning to be charged tomorrow.
We have also received news that PAS Vice-President, Haji Mohd Sabu, has also been arrested in the midst of his daughter’s wedding this afternoon.
Also, Suwandi Abd Ghani, the one who was shot in the chest in the Batu Buruk incident, has also been arrested.
5:25pm: Tian Chua has been picked up.
We will post more updates as and when we get details.

JeffOoi
BREAKING NEWS: BERSIH folks arrested
At the IPK, lawyer Jonson Chong told me Bersih Rally protester Mohd Hasrii has been detained at Dang Wangi police station. Soon after, a lawyer SMSed me that one Muhammad Harith Fathillash Shahabudin was also nabbed for being involved in Bersih Rally.
Much later, I was told PAS vice president Mohamad Sabu was arrested attending his daughter's wedding in Ipoh..
UPDATES: PKR Information Chief Tian Chua has been arrested in Johor Baru.

Ronnie Liu
Time 16:20pm. I was just informed that Pas vice president Mohd Sabu is about to be arrested in Ipoh. He is attending his daughter’s wedding in Ulu Kinta. He is now being surrounded by friends, relatives and supporters. The police came with a warrant of arrest. I believed it was related to his involvement in BERSIH.

Jelas.Info
Tian was arrested after a Suaram Johor event in JB. The police came from KL.

Kickdefella
Just got the information that PAS strongman, Mohammad Sabu has been surrounded by a group of policemen at Jalan raya 4, Lorong Tambun, Ipoh, in front of Sunway City.

MerdekaReview

【本刊林宏祥撰述】警方今日在全国各地展开逮捕行动，扣捕参与人权日游行和11月10日干净与公平选举联盟（BERSIH，净选盟）大集会的在野党领袖和公众。
九名集会者和人权律师在首都遭扣捕的同时，回教党副主席莫哈末沙布（Mohd Sabu）、人民公正党宣传局主任蔡添强也相继在怡保和新山遭逮捕。
据知，蔡添强（左图左）是在马来西亚人民之声（Suara Rakyat Malaysia）新山分会办事处前遭吉隆坡警察总部重案组首席警长许斐朝援引《警察法令》第27（5）（a）条款逮捕；莫哈末沙布也是在《警察法令》的“非法集会”罪名下遭捕。
由一群“信仰集会自由的律师”号召的游行今天早上如期在吉隆坡举行，大约两百多名律师与公众响应参与；不过当游行队伍按照警方的指示解散时，警方却仍然逮捕了其中八人，包括多名著名律师与社会工作者。

The awful thing is that I don't think we'll see the end of this so soon.

Yesterday Hindraf 31, Today The Bon, Tomorrow Lulu?

The police have arrested the Bar Council human rights committee chairperson Edmund Bon allegedly for preventing local authorities from performing their duty in removing banners outside the lawyers' headquarters.
Eyewitnesses said that Edmund was arrested at about 12.45pm for blocking Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officials from removing human rights banners outside the Malaysian Bar building in Leboh Pasar Besar in Kuala Lumpur.
The Bar Council is holding its “Festival of Rights” in conjunction with the World Human Rights Day at its own building after police insisted that organisers apply for a permit to hold the event at the nearby Central Market.
In conjunction with its festival, the Council had put up banners and posters on the event at a booth located outside its building.
Edmund was arrested while trying to deter the DBKL officials from removing the banners at the booth.
He has been taken to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters for questioning. The organisers have also accused the police of intimidating the crowd that has gathered to celebrate the human rights festival.
Malaysiakini - Police arrest Bar Coucil rights committee chief over festival banners

read more about it from

Bar Council "This is outrageous!", Bar screams over arrest of Edmund Bon

Lulu's Wondering, Where Are The 1,015 Buddhist Temples In Selangor

Khir said Selangor has a population of
2.5 million Muslims with 98 mosques and 1,000 suraus,
1.3 million Chinese with 1,015 Buddhist temples and
640,000 Indians with 810 Hindu temples

Lulu learnt this from Rocky, who got the quote from this Bernama report

Lulu Thinks What Is Not Good Enough For UMNO Should Not Be Good Enough For Us

Tan Sri Zaki Azmi has resigned as deputy chairman of the 19-member Umno disciplinary board...Zaki, who was appointed to the post on Feb 7, quit following reports of his controversial divorce from his second wife, Nor Hayati Yahaya, 32. "Considering that members of the disciplinary board are of the highest integrity, I have made this decision following reports in the media.....
(Source: New Straits Times, 9 August 2005, By Zubaidah Abu Bakar)
He himself felt that he was not of the highest integrity. Not good enough for UMNO, but good enough for us?
something wrong...

Tan Sri Zaki is amongst the most junior members of the Judiciary, if not the most. He is the most junior Federal Court judge. He has to date only some two months experience as a sitting judge. This is in stark contrast to other justices of the Federal Court and the Superior Courts as a whole.
(Source: Disquiet)
Are not any of the more experienced judges qualified for the job? Did Zaki get fastracked because the rest were not suitable, or was it for other reasons like those which caused Lulu and 40,000 other Malaysians to send a memo to the Agung on Nov 10th?
something wrong...

“The only reason we roped him in was due to his past performance and his character, which is of a person of integrity,” he (Nazri Aziz) said, adding that among the legal fraternity, Zaki is known as a “straight fellow".
(Source : NST Zaki a person of integrity, says Nazri )
when Nazri says that, you know for sure that there's
something wrong...

A few months ago, Lulu signed a petition to the Agong to restore the judiciary to the rakyat. One of the points in the petition was with regards to the Lingam tape and the then Chief Justice, Tun Ahmad Fairuz. Tun Ahmad Fairuz's tenure as Chief Justice was not extended after the incident.

Now, Lulu will put her (real) name and IC number on another petition. Initiated by Haris Ibrahim, it is a petition from citizens to His Majesty the Yang DiPertuan Agong praying for the deferment of the appointment of the President of the Court of Appeal pending the findings and recommendations of the intended Royal Commission of Inquiry.

For full details of the petition, go here
If you want to lend your support to this petition to His Majesty, please send an e-mail to :
savethejudiciary@gmail.com

If Lulu Were A Central Market Trader, Lulu Would, In a Huff, Go Look Up Lee Chong Meng

remember him?
he's the MCA bukit bintang chairman,
the one who was not elected as MP for Bukit Bintang,
AND
the one who held a "protest" in a hotel for the traders in Jln Alor, Jln Merlimau and Jln Tiong Nam because their business went down on the Bersih March day.

Well, if Lulu were a trader in Central Market, Lulu would go running and crying to him now cos my anticipated peak in business on Sunday has fizzled out, no thanks to PDRM's insistence on a permit for the Bar Council to carry out their International Human Rights Festival at Central Market.
What was supposed to bring more people into Central Market to buy my goods is now not going to happen. The Bar Council has moved the activities to the council auditorium.
If Lulu were a Central Market trader, that would mean a big drop in anticipated sales.
If Lulu were a Central Market trader, Lulu would demand that Lee Chong Meng organise a protest in a hotel with free lunch to voice out her plight, just like how he did for the Jln Alor, Jln Merlimau and Jln Tiong Nam traders.

So, Lee Chong Meng, after suffering losses in "many thousands" of ringgit [we a bit more honest here-la. No million ringgit claim] following this Saturday's cancellation, could you take the Central Market traders' plight to the press and organise a protest for them in an hotel? Lulu's not one of them, but Lulu really feels for them. And Lulu guesses that you do too, cos you emphatised so well with the Jln Alor, Jln Merlimau and Jln Tiong Nam traders.

---------------
note - the Bon has sent out a letter on the change of venue.

Dear all,
kindly take note that venue for the Festival is no longer Central Market but is now instead the auditorium at the Bar Council Building (a skip and a hop from Central Market). The address is:
No. 13, 15 & 17, Leboh Pasar Besar,
50050 Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan,
Malaysia.

The following is a personal note by the Chairman of the Bar Council's Human Rights Committee:-

The theme of the Festival of Rights this year is "As I Believe: Freedom of Expression through Art, Music, Culture and Conscience". We intended to showcase the indivisibility of rights, and how various forms of expression are manifested in the facets of our humanity.

We have notified the police of our programme for the Festival of Rights. We have been asked to apply for a permit.

It would be ironic and outrageous for us to make such an application.

We are therefore moving our festivities (which starts at 9am) to the Bar Council Building.

On a day where everyone ought to celebrate human rights, it is also an important time to take stock of the repression of rights in this country, particularly the regulation of free speech and expression by way of licensing requirements.

The right to freedom of expression in Malaysia is in practical terms illusory. Licensed expression is not expression. We need to change this.

On International Human Rights Day where there is much to celebrate around the world, this year in our country, we protest. We protest in a place where human rights, free speech and expression is vigorously respected and defended.

Join us on the 9th!

warm regards
Edmund Bon

Lulu Is Fully Confident That The Police Will Be Able To Trace The Originators Of The SMS rumours

there are load of SMS rumours going around town.

Malaysiakini reports a SMS rumour calling for a gathering of the Malays in the Kg Baru area. The gathering is supposedly held at Kelab Dewan Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru starting from 730am. The source/organisers is kononnya Pertubuhan Kebajikan Dakwah dan Islamiah (Pekida)
A second sms implicating Hisham[wave your keris]muddin callig a gathering also at Kg Baru to ignite the spirit (semangat?) of the Malays towards the other races also to be held at Kg Baru on a different date.

Perkida, Hisham[wave your keris]muddin and the SIL have denied any such gatherings and labeled the sms-es as fitnah and bohong.

anyway, Lulu has absolutely no doubts that our Police force will be able to trace the source of the sms-ers.
Afterall, they traced the Siti Nurhaliza sms-es, the rumours of racial riots in Johor and the SMS on mass baptism in Ipoh.

Arrests and Prosecution, however, is another story.

Till Today, Lulu Is Still Trying To Figure Out What Was Seditious in Nat Tan's Posting

and Lulu guesses that she's not alone.
cos according to Fu Ah Kow as reported by Malaysiakini,

The police are investigating five Malaysians for posting seditious messages on the Internet, the Dewan Rayat was told today. He said one of them had already been arrested and investigations into the case are in its final stages. The police are considering whether to charge him for the alleged offence, he added.
Met at the Parliament lobby later, Fu said the arrested individual was PKR webmaster Nathaniel Tan, who was hauled up in July over a ‘seditious’ comment posted on his blog.

The police are considering whether to charge him for the alleged offence??? WHat is there left to consider? Either he was seditious or he wasnt.
aiyoh Nat... talk about being hijacked on your birthday!

o-O-o Happy Birthday Nat!

Lulu Needs A Favor

Malaysiakini reported yesterday that CMF and gang made house to house visits to PJU voters during the weekend.
It's highly unlikely that CMF will be visiting Lulu's house as it is located in one of the more "white" areas in PJU.

So, if they come visiting you, could you do Lulu a favor?
Could you ask her, why on earth would Lulu have to register her name, identity card number, nationality and address everytime she goes cut her hair in PJ?
Serious... this is a new requirement that MBPJ has imposed on all hair salons, beauty centres, massage parlours and cyber cafes in Petaling Jaya. The records must be available for inspection by council officers at any time.
read more about it here

It's not just a matter of invasion of privacy, it's also a matter of personal safety.
People who work in the hair salon, people who visit the hair salon and flip through the registration book, anyone and everyone could have full view of your full name, your IC number and your address. They could stalk you and/or bring harm to you and your family.

It's a stupid thing to ask for, and the consequences could be serious.

Could you, pretty please, ask Ms Chew and gang WHY is MBPJ asking for all this?

btw, Lulu's not going to bother you in asking her more hard core questions like the Islamic state, ecconomic stability, government abuse etc cos other than her cut and paste job from MCA's inhouse statement [which they probably dare not share with UMNO], she has no stand of her own.

Updated - Lulu Was So Looking Forward To The March

aka Guess Where Lulu Won't Be On Sunday
aka In Lulu's Country, There Is No Freedom For A Freedom March

especially since Lulu lulu-ed and missed last year's march.
Lulu made plans to attend last year's march, and was down at Merdeka Square by 7:25am for the march which was scheduled for 8:00am. But the square was kinda empty, with a group of falun gong people [they were wearing falun gong t-shirts - that's how Lulu knew they were falun gong-ers] doing taichi and a few people who didn't look like they were there for a march. Lulu waited for a little while, too shy to ask, before deciding that maybe Lulu got the wrong date/venue or maybe the venue got shifted and Lulu was not informed.
So, Lulu went off.
Lulu underestimated "Malaysian time".

The event did take place. People [being the Malaysians that they are] started coming at 8:00am. By then, Lulu had gone over to the Amnesty International office and started writing letters for their Global Letter Writing Marathon.
The falun gong group ... they were part of the march.
And so were the "a few people who didnt look like they were there for a march". Just that they look like regular people like Lulu.

So, this year's march was, amongst others, supposed to make up for Lulu's lulu-ness last year. But this was not to be.
Malaysiakini just reported that The Bar Council has decided to call off its annual human rights day march on Sunday, ostensibly due to pressure from the authorities to obtain a police permit. “We are calling it off, but will proceed with the rest of the festivities (at the Central Market),” council chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan told Malaysiakini when contacted this afternoon.

Part II of the Festival at Central Market is still on.
0900 Welcome speech by President, Bar Council (Ambiga Sreenevasan)/Chair, Human Rights Committee (Edmund Bon)
0910 “Speechless”: Lip-reading of the UDHR (led by Wong Nyok Mei)
0925 Breakfast and prize-giving ceremony for essay competition 2006 winners (BM and English)0935 Poetry Reading (Noreen Ariff)
0945 Conversations: “When Faith Meets Law” (multi-religious forum)
- Deputy Director, Jabatan Agama Islam, Perak- Zaid Kamaruddin, JIM (TBC)
- Bishop Paul Tan, Christian Federation Malaysia
- Datuk A. Vaithilingam, Hindu Sangam- representatives from Sikh, Taoist and Buddhist communities
also (colouring session for children commences)
1100 Cultural performance by the Orang Asli (Pusat Kebudayaan SPNS)
1115 “I wish that ……” session (led by Fadiah Nadwa Fikri)
1130 Stage performances by various artists/activists
• Fahri Azzat & His Soul Brotha (1135 – 1150)
• In Torment (1155 – 1210)
• The Wave (1215 – 1230)
• Lai Chee Hoe (1235 – 1250)
• Amer Hamzah & Cassarrah (1255 – 1310)
• Dr Wan Zawawi (1315 – 1330)• Couple (1335 – 1350)
• Tina and Dipendra (1355 – 1410)
• KL Legal Aid Centre (1415 – 1430)
1435 Closing speech by President, Bar Council (Ambiga Sreenevasan)/ Chair, Human Rights Committee (Edmund Bon)

Note:
In conjunction with International Human Rights Day on December 10th, Amnesty International Malaysia will be organizing a 24-hour global letter writing marathon. This begins from the 15th Dec noon and will end on the 16th Dec noon at the Annexe Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

Updated 10:25pm

Lulu's just read Mdm Ambiga's statement on the bar council website

She was being very polite when she said

In fact, it is an event that would have demonstrated complete racial harmony and would have demonstrated (as we have before) that we can walk peaceably in unity for human rights the world over. It would have been an opportunity for the authorities to show to the world that we subscribe to these values. It is a missed opportunity.

Lulu, in a sense, sees her point but from a different perspective.

The walk is supposed to demonstrate all those "complete racial harmony" and "unity in human rights", but the sad truth is... well, you know what the sad truth is.

If the march were for those vaules as goals, yes, we need to march.

If the march was to demonstrate those goals, guess the show was over even before it had begun. And we can thank the government for showing us clearly where they stand on those goals.

Lulu Amazed At The Number Of Times Devamany Flip-Flops

"I regret my statements in parliament which had created problems for the BN. Datuk Seri Najib has assured me the legitimate concerns of the community will be addressed by the BN together with the MIC,"
"I truly believe in the Barisan Nasional. I truly believe that unity, peace and stability is paramount in the country and it cannot be compromised."
NST Devamany regrets criticising BN

“He was very nice to me. I told him I regretted the statement. He advised me on what happened.
“I fully support Barisan Nasional and the party leadership. That cannot be questioned,” he added.
The Star Devamany let off the hook by Najib

"We shared 20 minutes together and I told him that I regretted what happened that day,"
"I truly believe that the nation's progress through unity and stability is paramount and cannot be compromised," he said.
He also said he supports BN policies and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership, which "can never be questioned".
Malaysiakini Devamany escapes punishment

This Devamany is the chap who on Al Jazeera belittled the Hindraf demonstration and condemned the demonstrators.
Then realising how tolak markah his statement was in the eyes of the voters, to quote JeffOoi, Devamany "made a Bollywood U-turn from his pontificating-the-BN over Al-Jazeera to admitting in the Parliament, arguing that the rally had proved the failure of government policies which do not benefit the Indians."
and now, realising how tolak markah his statement was in the eyes of his political masters, the Bollywood hero does another u-turn with his apology to Najib.

and the best things is, this flip-flop hero wannabe still had the gall to say,
"I think that, right now, we must be very responsible and cautious with our words. Let's not just simply throw [sic] words," he said, while insisting he would continue to speak up in the Dewan Rakyat

looking at the way he flip-flops, Lulu knows who his boss is. clue : not the rakyat, not the voters

Just In Case You Lulu Like Lulu

and thought that people started their rally early, early in the morning at Batu Caves, they weren't.
Lulu a bit slow.
Up till this morning, Lulu thought they were gathering there, as in, ready to go.
Lulu forgot that not everyone's like her, can either stay with friends, find a cheap hotel or sleep in the car.

What Josh Hong said makes sense
They are not like Umno or other BN parties, who can provide supporters with free transportation and accommodation. These people had to put up in temples around KL one day before they made their way to KLCC and the surrounding areas the next day. They could forget about getting a room in a hotel somewhere. They simply could not afford it.

They were resting and/or praying. Kinda like pilgrims.
And the police came and did their "no tear gas or water cannon" thing.

Lulu Sniffs Another Money Making Opportunity

Rangkaian Segar had their turn in Y2002 when the Samy Vellu forced all highway concessionaires to switch to Touch N Go. Prior to that, highways like Litrak were allowed to have their own Fastrak card, whilst keeping a Touch n Go lane.

NEW STRAITS TIMES
Thursday, November 21, 2002< It's Touch'N'Go or no go... M. K. Megan

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21: Highway concessionaires have to switch to the Touch'N'Go system and no appeal will be entertained, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today. He said several of the operators had appealed to him to allow them to use their existing systems."Some of them say they were selling the system to other highway operators and some others had said they had invested a lot, up to RM15 million, in buying the equipment."Those who said they have invested a lot of money in buying the equipment, they need not change the equipment. It only needs a little reprogramming and some adjustments.Samy Vellu said the Government had to consider the trouble motorists had to go through by having several cards."Therefore I have told them the Government had decided on one card and all have to follow," he said at the Parliament lobby today.He said the concessionaires were also unhappy with the 3.5 per cent commission charged by Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd, the operators of Tounch'N'Go, as service charge for collecting and transacting the money."We are in the midst of discussion to come to a more acceptable figure.

Lulu doesnt know what what commission highway concessionaires had to pay Rangkaian Segar in the end, but initial figure was 3.5% of the transactions.

Looks like the sun is setting for TouchNGo and Smart Tag.
Samy Vellu is creating another money making venture in his "gantry system"

Under the gantry system, motorists need not stop to pay toll. Deductions will be made automatically from their prepaid toll cards, almost similar to the present Smart TAG system.

Are you wondering like Lulu, who are the people behind the gantry system? Is it Rangkaian Segar (again) or someone new who will get very rich?
Why the need for it when it is "almost similar to the present Smart Tag system"?
Would Lulu need to buy new hardware/tag whatever for it?
Would Lulu need to write off her current SmartTag which she paid RM100 for it?

AND the kononnya

Construction of the RM800mil pilot project is set to begin in March at several hot spots in the Klang Valley to ease the worsening traffic situation.
The hot spots include the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), Kesas expressway and New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE).

is such (pardon the language) bull!
Ayyone who goes on LDP and NKVE (not too sure about Kesas) would tell you that they queue to pay the toll (yes) only to join a jam after the toll booth.
Really. If you go to the NKVE Damansara exit between 7:45-9:00 in the morning, you will see the cars bottlenecked. Likewise for LDP.
The problem is not with the paying system. Even those on the SmartTag lane get stuck in the jam.
Problem is with the bottleneck, the inability of the highway outlet to cope with the volume of traffic.

The gantry is nothing more than a shameless way to make more money.
And mind you, it is at our expense.

for further reading
1999 SmartTag, Touch N Go for all highways Samy Vellu
2002 Electronic Toll Payment System Standardised From Jan 1
2007 Gantry system to be put into service by end-2008

Guess Where Lulu Will Be On Sunday Morning

Lulu Wonders If "The Government" Is Talking Big Or There Really Is a Law Which Would Allow This?

In a related development, the government said it would be demanding compensation for damage to public property from leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and those involved in its illegal demonstrations.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Mohd Johari Baharom said the ministry and police were estimating the damage to public property and other losses caused by the demonstrators.
"The amount of losses will be conveyed to the Hindraf leaders and others involved," he was quoted as saying in Bernama.
"They also have to pay for the cost of equipment that the police had to use to quell Sunday's illegal demonstrations. The government will not allow them to escape paying."

Malaysiakini - [surprisingly bundled together in an article titled] MIC's new approach on community woes
btw, Lulu thinks it would make a most interesting lawsuit.
Think about it, they'd have to do an itemised billing on the "cost of equipment", and we'd be able to see how much the government paid for teargas and compare it with the price in open market. Think RM50 car jacks which were contracted for RM5,741

Lulu Wonders How Many Congratulatory Messages Will Samy Vellu Say He Received This Round?

This is not the first time Samy Vellu has attempted to resolve a problem / divert a crisis by offering a phone number.

In the earlier part of 06, Samy Vellu was having problems with a cracking MRR2, Ampang-KL elevated highway and the Menora Tunnel in Jelapang.
The man who claims he represents what Hindraf calls "the oppresed race" was angry with people going to the tv stations to highlight their complaints.
He asked the public to call his mobile phone instead, in which the number was shown on screen by Buletin Utama, TV3.

"You can even call me if you are not satisfied. Don’t go to the TV stations."
"Why can’t these people channel their complaints or concerns to the relevant government departments?"
"Is the TV station doing the repairs and maintenance work? No. It is done by agencies such as the PWD, the Malaysian Highway Authority and so forth, so forward the complaints to them."

source : SK Thew

You know what happened?

Samy Vellu said since his mobile phone number was made public by TV3 last Sunday he had received about 2,600 SMS of which about 200 were about the cracks on the Middle Ring Road II (MRR2), about 1,000 were congratulatory messages and the remaining were normal complaints.

source : Bernama

So, now when Hindraf highlighted the plight of the people whom Samy Vellu claims to represent, this time he "smarter a bit-lah". He did not offer his handphone number, but instead set up a hotline.

The MIC will set up a hotline as soon as possible to handle all problems faced by the Indian community, its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

source : TheStar

Lulu wonders
1. How many congratulatory messages will Samy say he receive this round? The last round, more than 1/3 sms-es were telling him what a good job he was doing, in spite of the cracks, the toll hike and temples torn down. Surely he can't allow his popularity index to slip.
2. What happens if Lulu calls? Will they hang up on Lulu cos she's not an Indian?

What Lulu doesn't wonder is whether or not the hotline will bear good fruits.