Meanwhile

While others have been talking a lot on the ISA issue, the 916 issue and lots of other stuffs, I just do not want to share about those issues.

Not that I'm not a fan of such things, but sometimes we are just overstuffed by such news. Yes, I agree that ISA should be reviewed, in terms Malaysia going for a more and better democracy and freedom. Even in Islam it is clearly noted that such arrests are just plainly denying the right of defending oneself until he is proven guilty. Even if someone is committing a crime, the procedure to take the criminal into custody must be done in a proper manner, through the court, and not just plain arrest without any compromise. This is very unjust.

Takeover

Meanwhile, the issue I would like to highlight is the Fannie and Freddie takeover. Some say it is the biggest takeover in history. Some say it is another mere ploy and conspiracy towards the USA Presedential Election this upcoming November. Some others were just too busy to care for such things.

My views, are we seeing another economic meltdown in these coming days ? Just like what happened a decade ago, and also what happened two decades ago, quite a few people are expecting another global economic meltdown, especially after the over-extensive issue of mortgage is the States. And we now come to this, two big arms of the investment banking are eventually being bought up by the government itself. This is surely not including other companies such as Lehman. These companies are also begging for the saviour Wall Street to save them, but still it is not known whether their prayers would be answered.

Of course, such actions were expected. Give a candy to a child in a kindergarden, and eventually the rest would showed themselves up, asking for the same candy. But the issue remains is whether are there just enough money, and will be action be another unproper action. The second issue is perhaps will the most contributing factor to whatever action taken by the government. Buyover of a company through the taxpayers, in democratic terms, are just undemocratic. It is the way of socialism, buying over businesses to be controlled by the government, in contrast to the US well-known policy of hardened capitalism. 

But, letting go of Lehman to suffer from liquidation might also be a bad idea. The States is already overridden with the suffering economic meltdown. Such liquidation will just add more wounds.

Outsourcing

Another news that not many would know is about Dell outsourcing themselves by 2010. Though it is not weird, it is still quite a shock. Being a 100% factory free, or in other words total outsourcing means that they are really suffering from overly cost of operations around the globe. These would eventually means that there would be no more Dell factories, only their HQ and maybe sales rep centres.

Outsourcing at a point is very good, you save costs. But in other views, it is very dangerous. Surely everyone would not like events such as smuggling and design copying to happen. Not like what happened to Camel in Thailand, or even Cisco in China. The companies really did suffered, and they just couldn't stop it, nor could they see it coming.

 

The Kingmaker

I do not wish to talk about Malaysian politics. Not that I'm sick of it, but honestly, it is just too much. The talk about politics have gone to the extent that more people are talking about Permatang Pauh than sharing on the upcoming Independence Day.

So let's go at the broader, wider scale of the world. Is United States of America still the king maker in world domination ? All right, maybe not a total domination in term of conquering the whole land and seas as they did in Iraq and Afghanistan, but being a major political power which can't be brushed or singled out in any international or internal events. Even during the Reformasi days we saw US, specifically Albert Gore who commented on the Reformasi as a good change to Malaysia, though Mahathir clearly did not like such words. Yet, Mahathir was very powerless when it comes to US, except to play with other cards such as new economical agendas; he singled out the US currency rate. He didn't care what values were the Dow Jones at that time, he made it a static value, a constant, to the very end that our currency became stable and better.

Well, that may be 10 years ago. The situation now is clearly different. The Eastern bloc, or Russians, are clearly showing their paws again, after a long stand of North Korea and Iraq who kept on to their words of not caring for the words of USA in their nuclear program. When Russia attacked the capital of Georgia for it's internal problem. It is believed that one of the states in Georgia, South Ossetia asked for independence, but rejected and moreoverly attacked by the Georgian Army for asking such things. Being an ex-state of the then-USSR, Russia felt needed to help South Ossetia thus counter attacked Georgia.

To me, the issue isn't just about brothers-in-arms. It's also about revealing the true power of USA. We kept on seeing USA as a real major political power, but in this event, they are not able to do a thing. Their resources has clearly been spent so much in Iraq and Afghanistan that they are not able to help Georgia retaliate. All they could do was to found a diplomatic stance between Georgia and Russia. Yes, we all know that such stance will not last long. Should Russia have enough power, they will again launch another attack on Georgia to confirm the strength of the States.

Hasselblad, Kodak Launch 50-Mpixel Camera

For those of you who love those megapixels, you now can drop a year's pay or so on the new Hasselblad H3DII-50 – a 50-megapixel camera. The H3DII-50 boasts the worlds largest sensor, at 36-by-48mm, built by Kodak.

Kodak states: "At 50 {megapixels] the sensor captures digital images with unprecedented resolution and detail. For instance, with a 50 megapixel camera, in an aerial photo of a field 1-½ miles across, you could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot)."

Don't expect high-speed shooting, though: The H3DII-50 can record at 1 frame per second. The camera's product page says that the camera captures 300MB files, but an informational PDF says that RAW files are just 65MB. At least it shoots in DNG format, which is perfect for use with Photoshop.

The H3DII-50 features a 3-inch display, a CCD cooling sink, and optional GPS accessories and media cards. The camera can shoot at ISO ranges of 50 to 400. It will use CF cards and SanDisk Extreme IV's. Don't expect to take many pictures at that huge size--you'll need to time yourself to capture exactly what you want to shoot.

The price is still unknown. The next model down costs around $40,000, though, so don't expect this one to be cheap.

Originally posted on Gearlog.

Retracted

Ok, maybe some, not all.
But...
In less than 24 hours.
Willingly or forced to?

More news

p/s:
1) Maybe he is willing to do so because he couldn't framed Najib more than he is doing now.

2) Maybe he is forced to do so, by the MoD or RMP.

3) Maybe he is doing it due to playing push and pull technique. I mean, of course, whoever wins in his own issues will most probably be the next leader of Malaysia, and just maybe, maybe, AAB doesn't want either of them. Also, something needed to be pointed out, he did his press conference on his SD with PKR top figures. Why them, and not alone? Altantuya issue is not PKR's, and the accuser of the case is also not PKR. To the very least, he didn't have to pull a media conference with PKR. Something which is just not right.

Book Review: Belajar Dari Dua Umar

Alhamdulillah, finished reading a very nice book. At first glance, I really thought it was about two well-known Caliph, Umar Al-Khattab and Umar Abd Al-Aziz. Well, I was quite there, but not perfectly correct.

The book is entitled as such, but inside are examples from the Sirah Nabawiyyah or the History of the Prophets and the Brotherhood, as well as several ample examples from other historical Islamic figures. Still, if it just write examples, it may not mean much to me, since there are loads of Sirah books available, such as Sirah Nabawiyyah by Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz, or even the famous Fiqh Sirah by Dr Sa'id Ramadhan Al-Bouti, but this book studied the meaning and justification behind each examples, and relates them to events happening nowadays. (The events are randomly events in Indonesia, since the writer, Hepi Andi Bastoni is an Indonesian, but that pretty good enough).

If other Sirah books explain the history of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w in general, this book focuses on the umara' side, or leadership in English. The book covered not only the history of the Prophet s.a.w, but also some of notable among the Brotherhoods, such as Ubaidah Al-Jarrah, Umar Al-Khattab, Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, as well as other famous caliphs; among them Umar Abd Al-Aziz and Harun al-Rasyid.

Inside the book are details on how an Islamic political figure, or an Islamic leader among Muslim society, or in a Muslim/Islamic country should behave and act. There are also examples that Muslims as a society need to focus, to be the revered Muslims. Nowadays it must be said that Islam is no more than just a religion, when Islam beforehand was more than just religion; it is the way of life. A Muslim practitioner practices Islam as soon as he wakes up and ends when he sleeps. Doa taught by Prophet s.a.w, or other Prophets a.s,or even by notable ulamas' are spoken for every work we do. And not only that, an Islamic country should be one of the utmost or ultimate dream for every Muslims; a country which not only protects Muslims right and 'ibadah, but also gives fair and just protection to non-Muslims, so long as the non-Muslims does not wage any war. This is shown on how Umar Al-Khattab didn't punish anyone at all when he released Bait Al-Maqdis from the hands of Christians. Instead, he promised and showed respect, honour, fair justice to all commoners in Bait Al-Maqdis. This should be the Islamic country Muslims strive for, with honour.

Though the book quotes "Kenyangkan Perut Rakyat", or "Prioritize the Commoners for Food", I however was quite encaptured by the last paragraph of the last chapter

"Memang, jika tiba saatnya kemenangan pasti datang. Tapi bukan tugas kita untuk menunggu. Kekuasaan itu harus direbut. Kemenangan itu harus disambut. Sekarang saatnya"

or in plain English

"Of course, victory shall prevail comes the right time. But it is not our duty to wait. The power must be grabbed upon. The victory must be strived upon. Now it the time"

p/s: The book is entitled Belajar Dari Dua Umar, written by Hepi Andi Bastoni with exclusive comment by Tuan Guru Dato' Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and published by Anbakri Publika Sdn Bhd(796344-P) with ISBN 978-983-43748-8-4.can be bought for RM15 in West Malaysia and RM17 in Sabah/Sarawak.

Oppurtunist not wanted

Note : This article is written in response to PKR's statement to change the PROTES gathering this Sunday (060708) to a pro-Anwar rally. This article is personal and individual, thus does not reflects any party or organisation the writer is subjected to. More news: Fuel price protest to be pro-Anwar rally

Initially the plan was very good and brilliant, a gathering in defiance of the government's action to increase the fuel price in Malaysia. Unlike other previous gathering, this gathering is supposed to be very peaceful but cynical to the government, a new passive yet active way to send a message of defiance to the government.

Yet, for some reason, PKR made a statement to change the anti-fuel increment rally to a pro-Anwar rally. Now this is just bad.

First of all, Anwar has not been taken into custody yet. Until now, he is still a free man who walks anywhere he wants, around us, like any other normal people. There is only a police report which says that he sodomized Saiful Bukhari Azlan, which is yet to be be proved yet (My bet is that there won't be a case,it's not a res ipsa liquitor, but more of a prima facie case, and this is where Anwar would eventually win)

If there's a police report, you are not going to be captured or taken into custody by the police. Yet, you only need to go through a series of court appearance, where you will debate to defend yourself, should you be the accused, or prove the accused guilty, should you be the accuser.

Thus, in which point does Anwar actually needs such rally? Unlike 1998 case where he is put behind bars, today is only behind his house fences, not jail bars.

Second, his issue is more of a private, individual issue. Whatever happens, it will only affect his life (Yeah yeah, without him on track, the 16 Sept agenda would probably not happened). We, the commons however, are more interested in the increasing fuel price. This fuel price affects everyone. Oil is one of the basic needs today. Whatever the oil price is, that is the portion that needed to be paid for everyone who bought foods, beverages, and all other stuffs. This issue is national, or better sounded as international. That issue is just plain individual.

Of course, some might argue that without Anwar as the helm, the 16 Sept 2008 agenda would most probably be lost, but that is just hypocritical thinking. That is just an idea, a hope, something which has yet to happened. This, imminent fuel price increment is something that is happening right now, RM2.70 for a litre of RON97 fuel, plus some hushes on another yet-to-happen price increment to RM3.10, and some even said it would go as far as RM4.00 by the end of the year.

Thus, personally I would suggest that PKR retracts the idea of changing the agenda of the rally. You don't need that 1 million rally to become yours. It is not yours, but it belongs to the people. It is about oil, not someone, even if we are in favour of him. Please be professional.

A very hard formula

Tadi baru dok dengaq YB Khairy Jamaluddin melontarkan idea-idea tentang usul penjimatan subsidi. Ada la sikit celoteh tentang dengan penjimatan subsidi minyak, maka duit itu boleh digunakan untuk hal-hal lain, antaranya subsidi bagi makanan yang kian melonjak tinggi harganya.

Tuan YB, tahukah anda

Bila Minyak Naik, Harga Makanan pun Naik

Hal ini disebabkan makanan ini akan dipindahkan dari satu tempat ke tempat yang lain, bermula dari tempat seperti ladang/jeti sehinggalah ke supermarket ataupun kedai-kedai runcit. Untuk memindahkan barang makanan ini, kenderaan berskala besar, kebiasaannya lori, digunakan sebagai alat pengangkutan. Maka, apabila kenaikan harga diesel sebanyak RM1.58 sen seliter, takkanlah harga barangan makanan ini tidak naik. Macam harga roti canai la, tepung naik untuk sepeket, tapi roti canai pun naik gak dlm 10-20 sen untuk sekeping roti.

Bagi seorang yang bergelar engineer, orang itu lazimnya akan mempelajari satu subjek yang dipanggil HSE ataupun Health, Safety and Environment. Di dalam course ataupun subjek tersebut, orang itu akan diajar teknik-teknik untuk mengelakkan kejadian yang tidak diingini berlaku. Antara teknik-teknik terawal, ataupun langkah pencegahan terawal yang boleh dilakukan ialah dengan Solve at the source and along the process. Menggunakan langkah ini untuk diaplikasikan di dalam permasalahan harga makanan minyak, bukankah lebih baik jika sekiranya subsidi minyak yang diberikan, kerana ianya akan memberi impak (penurunan) pada harga makanan juga? Bak kata pepatah orang putih "To kill two birds with a stone". Ini barulah pemikiran minda kelas pertama.

What they do not understand

Syed Hamid Albar cricitized the act of several key figures in PAS and several other NGOs who held the demonstration last Friday at Masjid Jamek, Kg Baru (Refer : Syed Hamid slams opposition for price hike rally, The Star Malaysia Online).

According to him, such acts would not solve any problems. Well, is it really true? During the times of Suharto, it was the revolution of the masses that made him eventually brought down, from his heavenly kingdom, back to ground. It was also the big Iran Revolution that turned the famous land of Persia upside down, with the big aftermath of having the Shah Iran getting himself out of Iran after being betrayed by the Iranian Army.

Well, perhaps the examples were a little old school, a little far from reality (The Iranian revolution was in late 70s, the Indonesian revolution was in the late 90s). The recent demonstration against the parking price hike is perhaps another example. Just after one, two days of the demonstration, DBKL canceled their sudden plan to increase the parking fee.





Well, perhaps the oil price hike in the near future could then give a big impact to our government in revising back the price.

Certainly I do not understand this.

I thought the half past six issue is long gone. Well, still there I suppose. Semalam kata lain, hari ni kata lain. In the parliament they accused others of being lidah bercabang, their words makan diri kot~

Now everyone wonders, what did Shahrir said bout the August thing?

p/s: Next time want to increase price, don't la give last minute statement. This is 10th world parliament. Professional la sikit. give a better setback la. 3 days announcement ke, or better. Not at the 11th hour statement, memang la unprofessional.lol


Well nvrtheless, here's some snips from thestar bout the price hike :

Wednesday June 4, 2008

Shahrir: New fuel subsidy scheme only in August

By MANJIT KAUR

KUALA LUMPUR: A new fuel subsidy scheme will be fully implemented only in August and today’s announcement is only one of the steps in the revamp, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said.

“Any announcement by the Prime Minister (today) should be seen as a part of the implementation and not the final step,” he told a press conference after opening the 1st Malaysian Construction Summit 2008 at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

He said a full subsidy system could not be immediately decided on now, as the Finance Ministry was still evaluating proposals.

Shahrir said he did not think his statements contradicted those made by the Prime Minister.

On Monday, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Cabinet would decide today on a new fuel subsidy scheme and that it would be implemented immediately to prevent speculation.

Shahrir said the subsidy revamp could result in petrol pumps selling fuel at market prices.

However, he said it was impossible to have a price increase without some way of helping the lower income groups.

“The idea ultimately is to increase the pump prices according to the market prices. At the same time, we need to deliver subsidy to Malaysians,” he said.

Shahrir said that there must be a system to the subsidy mechanism, which would either be in the form of cash income subsidies or a quota system effected through the MyKad or car registration number.

______________________________________________

Wednesday June 4, 2008 MYT 7:33:41 PM

Petrol to cost RM2.70 from midnight (updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Wednesday announced price hikes for petrol, diesel and electricity.

He said the new price for petrol is RM2.70 a litre, effective midnight tonight. The price goes up by 78sen from the current RM1.92, a hike of 40%.

Abdullah also announced that the price of diesel would be increased by RM1 from RM1.58 to RM2.58.

He also said that Tenaga Nasional Bhd would be raising electricity rates by 18% for homes and 26% for business users.

The announcements are part of the new fuel subsidy plan.

Abdullah also announced a RM625 annual cash rebate per vehicle, for owners of private vehicles with engine capacities of up to 2,000cc, as well as pickup trucks and jeeps with engine capacities of up to 2,500cc.

Owners of private motorcycles with engine capacities of up to 250cc will receive RM150.

Payment will be made via Money Order upon renewal of road tax, from July 1.

For owners of private vehicles with engine capacities exceeding 2000cc, road tax will be reduced by RM200.

Owners of private motorcycles with engine capacities above 250 cc will get RM50 reduction in road tax.

MB-to-be stripped of Umno membership

By R.S.N. MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU: Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said, who was supposed to have been sworn in as Terengganu Mentri Besar Sunday, has been stripped of his Umno membership for disobeying the party's leadership, a state Umno official confirmed.

The office of the Sultan of Terengganu announced Saturday that Ahmad Said would be the new Mentri Besar of Terengganu instead of Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, ending 14 days of uncertainty.

Ahmad Said: Scheduled to be sworn in at 10am today.

The swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to have taken place at Istana Tamu at 10am today but was likely to have been boycotted by 22 state assemblymen who are supporting Idris, the former Mentri Besar. They were planning a protest walk from Seri Iman, the MB’s official residence, to Istana Tamu, about 500m away at 7.30am.

“In accordance with Clause 14 Paragraph (2) (a) of the Terengganu State Constitution (Chapter 2), the Regency Advisory Council, in undertaking the function on behalf of the Regent, hereby appoints Datuk Ahmad Said as the Mentri Besar of Terengganu to head the Terengganu State Executive Council,” said the palace statement released to Bernama at 3.30pm.

It is learnt that 51-year-old Ahmad, a former exco member in the Idris-led state government, had the support of seven of the eight Umno division leaders in the state who lobbied for his appointment at the last moment.

At 3pm Saturday, the state Umno Youth and Wanita wings held emergency meetings and unanimously pledged their support for Idris half an hour later.

All the assemblymen, except for Ahmad, gathered at Idris’ official residence here for a meeting at 5pm.

At 5.45pm, state Umno liaison secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid said the assemblymen who attended the meeting would boycott the swearing-in ceremony if Idris, who is also Terengganu Umno liaison chairman, was not appointed the Mentri Besar.

He said some of the elected representatives concerned were willing to resign if someone else was appointed Mentri Besar.

Rosol, who is the assemblyman for Ajil, also warned that the assemblymen concerned would pass a vote of no confidence at the State Legislative Assembly if Idris was not reappointed Mentri Besar.

Show of support: Terengganu Umno liaison secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid (seated, third from right) with some of the 21 Barisan Nasional state assemblymen at a press conference to register their support for Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh to be retained as Mentri Besar at Seri Iman, Kuala Terengganu, Saturday. They have also threatened to boycott the swearing-in ceremony if Idris was not reappointed. – Bernama

He said the assemblymen concerned had signed a letter stating their support for Idris which would be forwarded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Terengganu Regency Advisory Council today.

Asked whether the move could be construed as an act of revolt, he said it was not because Idris had received the letter of appointment as Mentri Besar from the Prime Minister.

“We don’t believe it is an act of revolt because we unanimously represent the people and respect the decision of the (Umno) president. We were elected as the people’s representatives because we were appointed and given the mandate by the (Umno) president,” he said.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said in Putrajaya yesterday that Ahmad should obey the Umno president’s directive or face disciplinary action.

He said Ahmad should realise the consequences of his action should he go against the president’s decision.

At 8pm, the 22 assemblymen and Idris held another meeting at a leading hotel here. The outcome of the meeting was not known at press time.

On Friday, the 22 assemblymen sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister to retain Idris as the Mentri Besar after rumours spread that he may be dropped following the purported fallout between Idris and the palace.

State Umno Youth information chief Razali Idris said the wing hoped that there would be no change in the appointment of Mentri Besar.

“We have waited for a long time, 13 days is very long time in politics, Datuk Seri (Idris) has been patient all this while.

“If there are any changes, it should be done at a much earlier stage. Everyone waited for such a long time and we don’t want to hear any upsetting news now,” he said.

The standoff over the Mentri Besar’s post began soon after the last-minute postponement of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for March 10.

Numerous meetings were held between the assemblymen and the Regency Advisory Council and the Prime Minister last week to find a solution to the problem.

________________________________________

Preposterous. I did remember a few days ago, some people were getting mad just because Kit Siang asked his underlings to boycott the sworn-in of Nizar Jamaluddin as the Mentri Besar of Perak. All the sayings of "Derhaka!" and "Tidak Hormat Sultan!" came out from their mouths, and also their 'mouths'.

Now it seems like they are the one who are 'Derhaka'ing, eh? Quoting back the Istana official's words "Seorang Mentri Besar dilantik dari kalangan ADUN", or so it may be. Yet, the official did stated that the Menri Besar is not just selected from the ketua Perhubungan of whichever party that received the mandate to govern the state.

And now they are at war. Well, if all is according to plan, Datuk Ahmad Said had sworn-in already at Istana Maziah. Time to wait for the afternoon news.