A very common misconception about divorce is that a lot of couples think that they would have to be living separately for more than three years before they can file for divorce. The truth is if both parties agree to divorce, then you don’t need to be living separately.

Andy Low from Low & Partners talked about the money matters in divorce cases in Malaysia, during the webinar I hosted with Evanna Phoon. Here is what he said:

I have clients that stay together during the divorce proceedings and still stay together after divorce proceedings just for the sake of the kids. So, that is possible. Separation for two years is only one of the reasons to file for divorce. It doesn’t mean that you have to live separately in order to qualify yourself for a divorce proceeding. This is a very common misconception.

Second misconception is that they thought they will be automatically divorced if they have lived separately for more than 2 years. This is also incorrect because they would still need to file an application before they are divorced. There’s no such thing as “automatically divorced,” you have to apply for it.

Now, another misconception is that application for divorce cannot be made within 2 years of the marriage when, in fact, there are exceptions available. Sometimes parties can opt for annulment if they are qualified or eligible for annulment. There is no “not more than 2 years of marriage” limitation for annulment.

I want to touch a bit on: “The Brief and the General Procedure of the Joint Petition Divorce” before we talk about the monetary part because I want to establish that going for a joint petition divorce it is much easier. When you go for a unilateral divorce, which is a single petition, it will take more time.

Generally, if both parties agree, then you need to engage with a lawyer. We discuss the settlement with your spouse, and then you sign the divorce petition, and you wait for the hearing date, and you attend to the court, and get a certificate. While for unilateral divorce proceedings, you need to consult a lawyer also, and you may need to also apply to the JPN for a tribunal.

The objective of the tribunal is to actually provide a platform for the parties to reconcile. For example, if the husband would like to file for divorce, then the husband needs to actually submit an application to the JPN and attend the tribunal. It is actually the intention of the government to allow a chance to reconcile the parties before they have really decided to go ahead with the divorce proceeding.

In doing the so called tribunal sessions, the government officers, JPN officers will try to understand the reasons behind the break-up of the marriage or will try to ask you questions like why you want to live separately, and in all those things. The ultimate objective will be to reconcile the parties. However, if you insist on filing for a divorce after the JPN session, you can enclose the tribunal’s letter and file the application to the court, which is the third step.

Afterwards, the procedure will be very different depending on the spouse’s subsequent actions. So, we cannot determine the general time involved because we do not know whether or not your case will be contested by your spouse.

Now, what are the usual disputes that arise from a marriage?

For Premium Webinar Members, you can watch the full session here:

Divorce Procedure in Malaysia Law is a post from: KCLau.com

The Malaysian Insider

PKR’s Rafizi Ramli today offered proof of phantom voters, which he alleged was widespread fraud that could potentially “discredit” the recently-concluded general election, besides put the integrity of Malaysia’s identity card in doubt.

“The moment you have similar IC used by different people, so much so that the genuine or actual person proving the identity is denied to vote, that means this is part of a bigger planning to allow phantom voters to come in,” the PKR strategy director said at a press conference.

Rafizi (picture)listed eight people who had approached PKR about being denied their right to vote as others had already voted in their names, while also showing reporters the police reports which he said they had lodged voluntarily.

The Pandan MP said that these complaints were also made in the constituencies where the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had won, which he said showed that the alleged electoral fraud was “widespread” and “systemic”.

But Rafizi said that such evidence has bigger implications than just proving the existence of phantom voters in the electoral roll, claiming that the National Registration Department (NRD) had failed to guarantee that the country’s ICs are genuine and unique to all Malaysians.

“What comfort do we have that our ICs are now not subjected to counterfeiting, not subjected to fraud, where people can have multiple ICs to do various things with different identities?” he asked.

In Sabah, a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) panel today resumed its hearings on the state’s illegal immigrants issue and allegations that foreigners were given citizenship in exchange for their votes.

The Malaysian Insider

The Barisan Nasional (BN) government should not introduce the “regressive” Goods and Services Tax (GST) which, together with promised tax cuts, will “punish the poor”, PKR’s Wong Chen has said.

“It is regressive, it punishes the poor rather than the rich,” the PKR trade and investment bureau chief said of the proposed GST scheme at the party’s headquarters here today.

Wong (picture)claimed that the BN government’s rationale of bringing in the new tax scheme to widen the tax base was “fundamentally flawed”.

The Kelana Jaya MP explained that the majority of Malaysians are not evading the payment of tax to the government, but are instead earning too little to pay taxes.

It is estimated that currently only about 10 per cent of Malaysia’s 28 million population pay taxes.

Wong also said the BN administration should look at tackling corruption and dubious mega-projects first before looking at implementing the GST.

Malaysiakini

When Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – the new home minister – told disgruntled opposition supporters that they should migrate if they were unhappy with the results of GE13, he had unwittingly confessed that Umno Baru has a hidden agenda.

This little-known plan is Umno Baru’s mass immigration policy and is a deliberate ploy fuelled by political self-interests. Asking people to emigrate will ensure that Malaysia is populated largely by Umno Baru-putras and selected foreigners.

Zahid reluctantly acknowledged that the rakyat was disappointed with the rigging of the polls, but at the same time, he revealed the fears of Umno Baru leaders. The cheating did not go as smoothly and secretly as they had intended.

Zahid possesses neither charisma nor intellect. His oft repeated line is for people to shape up or ship out. With each new political appointment, he stuns us with his ability to set new standards for boorish behaviour.

In 2008, he was appointed a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with a portfolio which included religious affairs and agencies like the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim). He caused controversy when he warned officers that they had to support the government’s policies, or leave.

When Abdullah resigned and Najib Abdul Razak took over in 2009, Zahid was made the defence minister. He invited criticism when he said that the low percentage of non-Malays in the armed forces showed that they lacked patriotism.

Last week, Zahid could not resist baiting the public, telling the people who opposed the results of GE13 to “migrate elsewhere”.

Now, one out of every seven people in the country is a foreigner. If we were to follow Zahid’s advice, this would increase to one in five. This is based upon a population of 28 million, however, none of the rakyat know the true population of the country. The census figures are another of Umno Baru’s dirty little secrets, which they use to exert control over the rakyat.

Zahid has the ability to make remarks without thinking of the consequences. Perhaps his mouth works faster than his brain. On the other hand, his boss, Najib prefers to keep mum when ministers make provocative statements.

A history with Najib and Anwar

The two men – Zahid and Najib – share a long history which started when Zahid became Najib’s political secretary in 1986, but Zahid has also been closely linked with Anwar.

In 1998, Zahid supported calls for the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to curb cronyism and nepotism. After a brief period of incarceration, Zahid claimed that he had been duped by Anwar to challenge Mahathir.

After a much publicised apology to Mahathir, Zahid returned to Umno Baru, presumably with more than just his reputation bolstered.

Malaysia’s youth are not as easily fooled by Umno Baru’s tactics, social networking sites keep them informed and in GE13, they demanded fairness and change.

Influential people like student activist Adam Adli have been threatened with sedition, Seri Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (left) has been charged with organising a mass rally, and Anwar Ibrahim has predicted that the authorities will be arresting him soon.

Most of us are shaped by our experiences in youth. Friends who grew up with Mahathir claim that the young Mahathir saw a lot of poverty on his rounds as a doctor. He would have known about the economic disparities between the various races, and to be fair, he treated many people without charge.

When he became a politician, Mahathir probably realised that his affirmative action policies could not remain in perpetuity. He knew that as Malays became better educated and more affluent, they would not return to the rural areas.

He understood that as people became increasingly exposed to global changes and opened their minds to different experiences, his affirmative action polices would lose their appeal.

Mahathir (right) knew that if ordinary Malaysians refused to vote for Umno Baru, he would have to bring people in from overseas to address the shortfall.

Our poorer neighbours – Indonesia, the Philippines, Burma, Bangladesh and Pakistan – have several million people who would willingly work for longer hours and less money. By giving them jobs and promising them citizenship, they became indebted to Mahathir.

Only Malays may join Umno Baru, and hence only Malays are likely to vote for Umno Baru, so only Muslims who could become ‘instant Malays’ were imported.

Mahathir used these people, in a most evil fashion, to provide short-term economic benefits at the expense of ordinary Malaysians. His desire to give Umno Baru (and BN) long-term political and electoral advantages was even more pernicious.

The difficulty of introducing a Malaysian minimum working wage is widely known. Why would the authorities and employers approve this policy, when laws exist to import cheap labour to depress wages and control the people, the economy and future votes?

Rural folk made vulnerable

Mahathir abused people in the rural areas, as they were more vulnerable. He continued to neglect the rural communities by not providing job opportunities or by depriving them of infrastructure and services.

Many children of Felda settlers are graduates, but they are hampered by a lack of suitable jobs back in their communities and cannot make a valuable contribution to society.

Friends have complained of large numbers of Felda graduates who are unemployed. Some hold degrees in aeronautical engineering which cannot benefit their community, whilst others have complained that some graduates have skills which are not put to good use in their areas.

In the end, the disheartened youth gravitate to the cities, to be followed shortly by the older generation. Then, the rural areas become depopulated, and to sustain the economy, more foreign workers are smuggled in by the authorities.

With more foreigners, both legal and illegal being imported, the Umno Baru vote bank is endless. The migrants provide Umno Baru with votes, they generate production on the estates and boost the economy.

Umno Baru does not care that the urban areas are bursting with displaced Malaysians from the surrounding countryside.

Recently, parts of some cities are also being populated by foreigners. Malaysians have complained about a decline in services provided by hospitals, schools and community housing. The worst places record high rates of crime.

We know that from the 1980s onwards, Indians were displaced from the estates when plantations took over large tracts of land, perhaps, to satisfy Mahathir.

If the import of foreigners is not properly managed in the near future, the remaining Felda settlers and rural Malays will complete the exodus to the cities.

When that happens, and the Malays finally realise that Umno Baru has duped them, the recriminations will begin in earnest and Umno Baru will face a severe backlash from a cynical Malay community.

Then, politicians like Ahmad Zahid will wish that they had acceded to the relatively mild demands of free and fair elections from genuine Malaysians, rather than tell them to migrate.

Malaysia-Chronicle

Newly-elected MP for Pandan Rafizi Ramli challenged Khairy Jamaluddin, Umno’s newly-appointed minister, to speak up on the issue of phantom voters, which the political Opposition in the country has blamed as being one of the main factors that “robbed” them of victory at the May 5 general election.

“I would welcome Khairy who has happily assumed his seat in the Cabinet to speak up on this matter. He models himself as a reformist – so what does he have to say in the face of the mass of evidence that has been accumulated,” Rafizi Ramli, who is also the PKR strategy director, told a press conference on Monday.

The 36-year-old Rafizi had earlier revealed the names of 8 voters who have lodged police reports when they were barred from voting after the records showed that “other people had already voted using their names”.

“This implies that false ICs (identification cards) may have been issued by the National Registration Department to allow the phantom voters to go to the balloting stations and cast their votes,” said Rafizi.

Malaysiakini

PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli today revealed the names of eight individuals who had made police reports about someone else voting on their behalf across the country, which he says proves the existence of phantom voters.

He added that PKR will start revealing evidence of electoral fraud that happened during the May 5 election beginning this week.

Rafizi (right) said that the party and Pakatan Rakyat coalition have now collected enough evidence and will be releasing them periodically.

“We will have one press conference every two or three days to reveal things to the media, while others will go into our election petitions,” said the newly-elected Pandan MP.

This story I’m about to share, is indeed an awkward one but amazing at the same time.
PUMA’s latest collaboration collection with Hypebeast, has produced 2 pairs of shoes that looks like what you normally eat in the morning. Dim Sum.

Inspired by ‘Har Gau’ and ‘Siu Mai’, 2 of the most well known dumplings in the dim sum category, they have came up with what you see in the photo above.

I’ve got myself the Siu Mai! Why? Cos I like the colour and Siu Mai is actually my favorite. Yummy.

Posing a bit first. Hahah

Based on my usage, I find it really comfortable and it kinda stands out when I wear it out. Which is a good thing.

The PUMA x HB ‘Siu Mai’ Blaze of Glory OG is outfitted in a luxurious yellow leather and suede upper. The shoe is highlighted by a cushionCELL midsole in white and rounded out by a neoprene boot for fit and comfort.

The PUMA Blaze of Glory collection will be available at Crossover Sunway Pyramid and Crossover City Square, Johor Bahru at RM499. It is limited and if I’m not mistaken, there are only 40 pairs in Malaysia. So better be quick if you are interested!

Every purchase of the Dim Sum Project shoes will come with a pair of Hypebeast X Puma chopstick and a bag as shown in the photo above.

This is one of their promo video. Check it!

PUMA MALAYSIA: https://www.facebook.com/PumaMalaysia

Download audio file (PgHkn-2013-05-20.mp3)

((( iPhone & iPad users CLICK HERE to LISTEN )))

Guests: Seng Kah, Si Cheng Lau, Belacan Ke, King Kong, Kari Puff, Namsai, Jagung, O· Theng, Chhai Buei

This episode is for those who miss home. If you have left home for work or school, you must know what we discussed. Find out how many of us actually cried when we missed home.

(((DOWNLOAD AUDIO FILE)))

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 19.5 2013

Newly-minted Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low should not adapt so quickly from President of Malaysian Transparency International to BN spokesman by being adept in BN’s culture of lies in explaining why Cabinet members should not publicly disclose their assets. Paul Low lied when the said that Penang Chief Minister and state exco members’ public declaration of assets whilst positive was ‘informal’ because officials who fail to declare their assets would not be penalised, or if the declaration is significantly inaccurate in reflecting a person’s wealth.

I wish to remind Paul Low that when he was Malaysian Transparency International President, he had lauded the Penang state government’s leaders for being the first government in Malaysia to publicly declare their assets. Instead of adopting a similar measure to uphold public integrity in the Federal government, why is he taking a different position now?

Penang’s public declaration assets are certified by an international accounting firm and a pledge signed by the EXCO members that they provided true and correct information. All EXCO members who fail to declare their assets will be unceremoniously sacked. Isn’t that a sufficiently harsh penalty to ensure full compliance?

The Penang state government has taken a step further by now requiring all elected Penang State Assemblymen, not just EXCO members to publicly declare their assets. Now that Paul Low is a BN Minister, he has swallowed the BN propaganda “hook, line and sinker” that publicly declaration of assets would threaten the personal security of Cabinet members.

What have Cabinet members have to hide? Penang state leaders have public declared their assets and yet our personal security has not been harmed. Perhaps it is because our assets are pitifully few to make much of an impact. If at all our personal security is threatened, it is by racists from BN supporters and Perkasa.

Would Paul Low take the lead by publicly declaring his assets?
Under the present BN system, a declaration of assets is made privately to the Prime Minister. How would one know whether the information supplied is accurate? With a public declaration of assets, there can be a checking and verification system in addition to that done by international accounting companies. As an accountant himself, Paul Low should know that such verification by international accounting firms are much more reliable, credible and trustworthy than government agencies monitoring and auditing the declarations, as government agencies are subject to Ministerial directives.

Behaving like a BN apologist to justify why public declaration of assets should not be implemented because it would discourage wealthy, talented and skilled persons from serving the public is unacceptable. Public service requires sacrifice and that “one must not only be clean but also seen to be clean”.

Would Paul Low take the lead by publicly declaring his assets? I still remember when Paul Low met me last year on Transparency International’s Integrity Pledge, he had refused my request that a public declaration of assets be included. Paul Low explained that by including the public declaration of assets into the Integrity Pledge, BN would not sign. Clearly he was tailoring the Integrity Pledge not to promote public integrity but to suit BN.

Paul Low must demonstrate that he can make a difference in cleaning up corruption in the BN Federal government by giving a clear and unequivocal commitment to promote public integrity. Only when the BN government commits to a public declaration of assets and implementation of open competitive tenders can convince the public. Anything less would only fuel suspicion that Paul Low is merely a plant and apologist to dress up UMNO and BN as anti-corruption.

LIM GUAN ENG

——BM Version —

Kenyataan Media oleh Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang merangkap Setiausaha Agung DAP, Lim Guan Eng di Kuala Lumpur pada 19 Mei 2013.

Paul Low tidak patut memakai budaya pembohongan BN dengan mendakwa bahawa ahli kabinet tidak patut mengisytiharkan harta seperti yang dilakukan Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang kerana proses di Pulau Pinang itu tidak rasmi.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri yang baru, Paul Low tidak seharusnya bertukar begitu cepat daripada Presiden Transparency International Malaysia kepada jurucakap BN dengan menggunakan budaya pembohongan BN apabila menerangkan kenapa ahli Kabinet tidak perlu menhisytiharkan harta secara umum. Paul Low telah berbohong apabila beliau menyatakan bahawa pengisytiharan harta Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang dan ahli EXCOnya adalah tidak rasmi meskipun positif kerana pegawai yang gagal mengisytiharkan harta atau deklarasi yang dibuat tidak tepat dengan kekayaan seseorang, ia tidak dihukum.

Saya ingin mengingatkan Paul Low bahawa sewaktu beliau menjadi Presiden Transparency International Malaysia, beliau memuji pemimpin Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang kerana menjadi kerajaan yang pertama dalam Malaysia yang melakukan pengisytiharan harta secara umum. Sebalik menggunakan pendekatan serupa demi meningkatkan integriti di Kerajaan Persekutuan, kenapa pula beliau memiliki pendirian berlainan sekarang?

Pengisytiharan harta Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang disahkan oleh sebuah firma perakaunan antarabangsa dan diakujanji oleh ahli EXCO bahawa mereka telah memberikan maklumat yang tepat dan benar. Semua ahli EXCO yang gagal mengisytiharkan harta mereka akan dilucutkan jawatan. Bukankah itu hukuman berat yang mencukupi untuk memastikan semuanya patuh?

Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang kini telah mengambil satu lagi langkah dengan memerlukan semua Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri, bukan sahaja ahli EXCO untuk mengisytiharkan harta. Sekarang Paul Low sudah menjadi menteri BN, beliau telah akhirnya menelan semua propaganda BN kononnya pengisytiharan harta akan menggugat keselamatan menteri kabinet.

Apa yang mahu disembunyikan oleh ahli Kabinet? Pemimpin Negeri Pulau Pinang telah melakukan pengisytiharan secara umum, tetapi keselamatan peribadi kami tidak pun terancam. Mungkin kerana asset kami begitu sedikit untuk memberi sebarang kesan. Kalau pun keselamatan kami diancam, pastilah kerana penyokong BN dan Perkasa yang rasis.

Bolehkah Paul Low mendahului dengan mengisytiharkan hartanya sendiri?

Di bawah sistem BN, pengisytiharan harta dibuat secara peribadi kepada Perdana Menteri. Bagaimana kita boleh tahu sama ada maklumat yang diberikan itu tepat atau tidak. Dengan pengisytiharan secara umum, sistem pemeriksaan dan verifikasi boleh diadakan sebagai tambahan kepada apa yang dilakukan firma perakaunan antarabangsa. Sebagai seorang akauntan, Paul Low pastinya tahu bahawa verifikasi oleh badan perakaunan antarabangsa pastinya lebih boleh dipercayai, dan lebih amanah berbanding agensi kerajaan yang mengaudit deklarasi tersebut, kerana agensi kerajaan adalah tertakluk kepada arahan Menteri.

Dengan bersikap seperti seorang apologis BN bagi memberi justifikasi kenapa pengisytiharan harta secara umum tidak patut dilaksanakan kerana ia akan menghalang mereka yang kaya, berbakat dan berkemahiran daripada berkhidmat kepada awam amatlah tidak boleh diterima. Perkhidmatan awam menuntut pengorbanan dan seseorang itu diboleh sahaja dilihat sebagai bersih, tetapi dipastikan bersih.

Adakah Paul Low akan mendahului dengan mengisytiharkan hartanya secara terbuka? Saya masih ingat ketika Paul Low menemui saya tahun lalu tentang Ikrar Integriti Transparency International, beliau telah enggan menerima permintaan saya bahawa pengisytiharan harta secara terbuka disertakan sekali. Paul Low menerangan bahawa dengan memasukkan pengisytiharan harta secara terbuka ke dalam Ikrar Integriti, BN tidak akan menandatangan. Jelaslah beliau sebenarnya beliau merekabentuk Ikrar Integriti itu bukan untuk menggalakkan integriti awam tetapi untuk disesuaikan kepada BN.

Paul Low mesti menunjukkan bahawa beliau mampu membawa perubahan dalam membersihkan rasuah dalam Kerajaan Persekutuan BN dengan memberikan komitmen yang jelas untuk menggalakkan integriti awam. Hanyalah apabila kerajaan BN berkomitmen untuk melakukan pengisytiharan harta secara umum dan melaksanakan tender terbuka maka rakyat akan percaya. Apa sahaja yang kurang daripada itu hanyalah akan menambahkan curiga bahawa Paul Low hanyalah seorang apologis yang dipergunakan secara kosmetik untuk menunjukkan kononnya UMNO dan BN itu anti rasuah.

LIM GUAN ENG

—- Mandarin Version —-

槟州首席部长兼民主行动党秘书长林冠英于2013年5月19日在吉隆坡发表的声明：

刘胜权不应采纳国阵的撒谎文化，声称内阁成员不应像槟城民联州政府般公布财产，因槟州的处理是非正式的。

新上任的首相署部长刘胜权不应这么快就从马来西亚国际透明组织主席的身份，摇身变成为国阵代言人、善于融入国阵的文化，解释为何内阁成员不应公布财产。刘胜权谎称槟州首席部长及行政议员的公布财产举动，虽然是正面但却是“非正式”的，因为没公布财产或有关公布无法准确反映相关人士的财富的话，有关官员并不会被对付。

我谨在此提醒刘胜权，当他还是马来西亚国际透明组织的主席时，他称赞槟州政府的领袖，成为马来西亚史上第一个公布财产的政府。他理应采取同样的措施，要内阁成员公布财产以维护联邦政府的公众诚信，可是为什么现在他却换了一个截然不同的位置？

槟州的公布财产举动，是获得国际会计师事务所认证的。同时，所有的行政议员也签署了一份宣誓书，阐明所提供的资料是确实的。任何无法公布财产的行政议员，将会毫不客气地被开除。难道这不是为了确保议员遵守条例的严厉处罚吗？

如今，槟州政府更进一步要求所有的民选议员，不只是行政议员公布财产。可是，如今晋身为国阵部长的刘胜权，已经把国阵牵强的理论全部啃下，称公布财产将会危及内阁成员的人身安全。

内阁成员到底有什么是见不得人的？槟州民联政府的领袖都已经公布财产，而我们的人身安全并没有受到任何的威胁。或许是我们的财产少得可怜，没有太大的影响。如果说我们的安全受到威胁，想必是国阵支持者或土族权威组织的种族动作吧？

刘胜权会否带头公布财产呢？

在现有的国阵体系下，申报财产是私底下向首相申报。那我们要如何知道申报的资料是准确的呢？若公布财产，加上获得国际会计事务所认证后，就能建立一个检查及检验的系统。作为一名会计师，刘胜权理应知道，透过国际会计所的认证，是比政府机构的监督及审计更确实、可靠及可信赖，因为政府机构是依据部长指示行事的。

刘胜权表现得像国阵的辩护者，自圆其说地讲解不应该落实公布财产的理由，称这将导致来自富裕家庭者、人才及有技能者却步投身公共领域，是无法被接受的理由。投身公共服务领域是需要牺牲的，作为领袖，人民要的不只是廉洁，更需要看起来给人感觉到是廉洁。
刘胜权会否带头公布他的个人财产？我还记得，当刘胜权去年与我会面，针对国际透明组织的选举廉正宣言时，他拒绝了我要将公布财产纳入的要求。利胜权当时的解释是，若我们纳入公布财产这项条件，国阵将不会签署这个廉正宣言。很明显地，他是为了迎合国阵的要求而修改廉正宣言的方式，而不是在推广公众诚信。

刘胜权必需证明他能够带来改变，给予一个明确和毫不含糊的承诺，推广公众诚信，清除国阵联邦政府的贪污。只有当国阵政府承诺公布财产、落实公开招标政策后，才能够说服民众。否则，刘胜权只不过是一个被安置在联邦政府内的国阵辩护者，以为巫统及国阵在反贪上涂脂抹粉。

林冠英

[Show as slideshow]

Introduction

I painted this piece in the wake of Malaysia’s 13th General Elections, with the intention of reminding us all that regardless of our differing political views, we are all of the same nationality – Malaysian – and should be cherished.

The tree in this painting is made up of our national flag’s four colors, to symbolize the many races of Malaysia as one body growing out of the same, fertile soil. Our lives, like the colors, overlap each other in many areas.

The pink sky symbolizes what we ought to do. We ought to protect our homeland and nation with love. The tree is made up of diverse colors overlapping each other, and we should protect this tree the way it is with love. Unity is diversity.

Finally, I painted our flag’s crescent and star on the top right corner childishly, to represent childhood innocence and simplicity. May this painting remind us of our lost innocence, and what being Malaysian meant to us when we were children.

The painting is further marked with my insignia as its artist on the bottom right.

In order to send this message out as widely as possible, I am placing this painting up for auction with 70% of proceeds going to charity of the winning bidder’s choice. This means that the winner/buyer gets to choose a charity, and 70% of the painting’s price will be channeled to that charity.

Thank you for your vote of support and bid in advance!
- Yvonne Foong. www.yvonnefoong.com

Bidding information:
1. The winner may choose to pay via cash, cheque, TT, or PayPal.
2. The winner may choose to pick it up from me or receive the painting by courier. We will discuss these arrangements once the auction concludes.
3.I will first collect the painting’s full price from the winner, before channeling 70% of it to the chosen charity. I will then publicly present the charity’s donation receipt as proof that the money has indeed been channeled to them as promised.

简介

马来西亚第十三届大选之后，我创作了这幅作品，以此提醒大家，不管彼此之间的政治观念有何不同，我们还是同个国家的人民——马来西亚人。

画里的树由国旗里的四个颜色组成，以象征马来西亚的多元种族是在这国家肥沃的土地一起生长的。我们的生活，就好像画里的颜色，不管在任何方面，都少不了彼此。

粉色的天空象征着我们应该做的事，那就是用爱保护我们的国家。而在粉色天空下多彩的树，象征着我们应该以爱来维持种族之间的和平。殊途同归，团结就是力量。

最后，我以稚气的方式把国旗中的新月与星星画在画的右上角，诠释着童年时的天真和单纯。希望这幅画让我们忆起失去的纯真，和在我们小时候对身为马来西亚人的定义。

此外，作品上的右下角标记着我身为艺术家的徽章。

为了能广泛地向大众发送此讯息，这幅画将会被拍卖，而70%的所得款项将捐献给中标者所选择的慈善机构。这意味着中标者/买方可以选择一个慈善机构，而这作品70%的拍卖款项将会被转送到此慈善机构。

谢谢你的支持以及投标!
- Yvonne Foong. www.yvonnefoong.com

招标信息:
1。拍买赢家可以选择通过现金、支票、电汇或PayPal支付。
2。拍买赢家可以选择自行取货，或者通过快递收到作品。拍买赢家可在拍卖完结时讨论取货安排。
3。我将会事先从拍买赢家汇集作品的全额，再把70％的款项转送到选定的慈善机构。之后，我会向大众公开并呈现该慈善机构的捐款收据作为款项已被转送的证明。

Greenboc

Bernarkah Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri bercita-cita untuk menangkap DS Anwar Ibrahim atau ia sekadar propagnda murahan akhbar pencacai yang begitu tertekan dengan sambutan rakyat terhadap siri perhimpunan yang diadakan oleh Pakatan Rakyat di seluruh negara?

Jika benar Ahmad Zahid Hamidi bercita-cita demikian, yang akan menerima kesan negatif paling besar ialah UMNO BN sendiri kerana masing-masing sudah pun melihat bagaimana sambutan rakyat terhadap Anwar malah segala kempen dan perancangan untuk menghancurkan kareer Anwar tidak berjaya. Malah apa yang berlaku ialah di sebaliknya dimana “majoriti” rakyat menyokong Anwar. Saya menekankan perkataan “majoriti” kerana itulah hakikatnya, Pakatan Rakyat berjaya memperolehi “majoriti” undi popular semasa PRU13 yang lalu.

Hanya “persempadanan” yang dilakukan oleh SPR menyebabkan majoriti “bilangan kerusi” tidak dimenangi oleh Pakatan Rakyat. Hal itu pun masih banyak menimbulkan keraguan kerana petisyen akan berlaku selepas ini yang mana sekurang-kurangnya 27 kerusi parlimen kini sedang diteliti oleh Pengarah Strategi KEADILAN, Rafizi Ramli.

UMNO BN tetap tumbang kerana sepertimana GB selalu ungkapkan, hukum kebenaran dan keadilan akan tetap berjalan. Kemenangan dengan cara penipuan tetap tiada keberkatan dan kemenangan secara demikian tidak mempunyai dasar yang kukuh untuk bertahan lama.

Malaysiakini

Despite police warning that the rally was illegal, thousands turned up for a Pakatan Rakyat state government sponsored ‘thanksgiving’ event at the Esplanade in Penang last night.

The crowd, mostly youths sporting black T-shirts armed with plastic vuvuzela horns, appeared to hold fast to the spirit of Blackout 505, Pakatan’s clarion call against alleged election fraud and vote buying in the May 5 general elections.

“In most countries if such incidents of fraud happen, there would have been massive civil strike,” said Pakatan leader Anwar Ibrahim, the last speaker for the night.

“Prime Minister Najib Razak should thank Pakatan for maintaining peace and calm in all our protests,” said the former deputy prime minister.

“In all states, from Penang toPerak, Johor, Negeri Sembilanand Pahang, we held peaceful rallies yet Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi say these were illegal,” he lamented.

“I want to tell them, they can try to declare our rallies illegal but they can never stop people’s power because the people’s voice is mighty (suara rakyat suara keramat),” he shouted to loud applause from the crowd.

Anwar said it was impossible to accept the results of the general elections when there were close to30 seats in doubt, while BN retained Putrajaya although it managed to obtain only 48 percent of the popular vote.

“They asked us to accept the cheating and the robbery? Your car or home is stolen from you and they tell you to accept the reality? Reality, my foot!” he exclaimed.

“This is fraud, there is no way any citizen of Malaysia should accept this fraud,” added the Permatang Pauh MP.

“If there are any seats where Umno or BN had won, and we don’t have evidence of cheating, we would accept the results, we would concede,” he stressed.

“But in the 30 seats that we lost, we have evidence of electoral fraud and we shall challenge these results,” he vowed.

A celebrity’s welcome

When he arrived at 9.40pm, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was given a celebrity’s welcome, with loud cheers from the crowd, many of whom also blared their vuvuzelas repeatedly.
Lim estimated the crowd size to be about 60,000, thanking the Penang voters for giving Pakatan another term to rule the state.

He later introduced his team of state cabinet members to the crowd, saying they were specially picked to serve the people.

Lim then condemned the proposed implementation of the goods and services tax (GST), saying Pakatan would go all out in Parliament to fight the new tax.

“You give people RM500 BR1M money, and you want to get back millions by implementing the GST?” queried the DAP secretary-general.

“We will not accept this, we will go all out and fight it.

“You cannot impose this tax on the 52 percent majority (of those who voted for Pakatan) because you are a minority (government),” Lim chided.

He was referring to a statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala who said the new tax can guarantee additional revenue of RM20 billion to RM27 billion for the government.

“I know BN has no more money, so what you have to do is stop being corrupt. Why not let us be the government and we will show you good governance,” he boasted, drawing loud cheers of approval from the Pakatan supporters.

During his speech, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh spoke about the right to assemble, while commending the crowd for being courageous enough to attend the rally despite the threat that the event was “illegal”.

“Let me warn the police this is not an illegal assembly but a gathering of citizens who want to express their concerns at the general elections results,” said the Bukit Gelugor MP.

The event ended at midnight, and with the police stationed at strategic locations leading to the Esplanade, no untoward incident or traffic congestion happened.

Meanwhile, Zahid gave Pakatan fodder to condemn Najib’s new cabinet with his maiden articlein Utusan Malaysia as home minister on Thursday although hedenied being a “racist”, arguing that his comments were merely “practical”.

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy said Zahid should be arrested and jailed for his “seditious” statement telling those who do not accept the results of the general elections to leave the country.

The crowd blew their vuvuzelas wildly in approval to Ramasamy’s suggestion..

“But is Najib brave enough to do this? No, he is a coward,” added the Prai assemblyperson.

Spread news to rural areas

New state exco for youths and sports, women, family and community development and arts Chong Eng, who switched from being a member of parliament to a state assembly representative, thanked Penangites for voting in Pakatan with a resounding victory despite all the challenges and temptations they faced before and during the 15-day campaign period.

“You have proven that you cannot be swayed by money or empty promises or threats, you are the best,” she said to loud applause from the crowd.

She spoke about how important press freedom was to effect change, especially in the rural areas, as well as Sabah and Sarawak, where Pakatan failed to capture the necessary seats to enable it to seize Putrajaya from BN.

“If we have our own TV station, I am sure Malaysia would have changed already. Democracy without press freedom is not complete or a matured democracy,” added the Padang Lalang assemblywoman.

“So please, go to the rural areas, bring your laptops or your iPads and share with the people the information you have from the Internet and online news like Malaysiakini and Malaysian Insider so that they would have proper access to information,” she added.

Malaysia-Chronicle

Yes, it was another easy victory for Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat team. The 50,000-odd crowd at the Seremban Blackout 505 rally on Friday night was only too happy to lap up their speeches, and Prime Minister Najib Razak should take note that when Anwar asked, “should we give BN another 5 years”, the crowd roared back “NO WAY!”‘

So great is Anwar’s and Pakatan’s hold on the people that they have become superstars. On arrival, they are mobbed and at the end of theceramah (rally), the crowd rushes up to the stage to take photos with their favourite Pakatan leaders and to get their autographs.

Tonight, apart from Anwar who as always got the loudest cheers, it was Nik Nazmi, the PKR assemblyman for Seri Setia, who got the hero’s welcome, while stealing the show was Johari Abdul, the PKR MP for Sungei Petani.

Nik Nazmi was this morning charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act for failing to give 10 days notice to the police before holding the mammoth Suara Rakyat Suara Keramat rally (the first in the Blackout 505 series) at the Kelana Jaya stadium in Selangor on May 8.

He is the first PR leader to be charged but with Prime Minister Najib Razak expected to go all out to suppress public support for Anwar and PR, observers believe there will be many more leaders who will suffer the same fate.

Shoddy organization and incompetence

The crowd’s complete lack of fear and implicit trust in in the PR is clear to see but this has also become a double-edged sword, for the responsibility heaped upon the Pakatan is now greater than before. As they call on the people to rally together and reject the results of the tainted 13th general election, it is also incumbent on Anwar and team to reciprocate by ensuring public safety.

Blackout 505 has taken on a life of its own and Anwar and PR are no longer mere Opposition leaders but mega-stars capable of drawing tens of thousands to their gatherings. Britney Spears, Justin Bieber and even Psy would go green with envy at the PR’s star appeal. And this is why it is imperative that the Blackout 505 gatherings are professionally managed if they are to be continued. The rallies should not be left alone to be handled by overzealous and rather ignorant volunteers from the state level, whose sole idea of public security is to yell “duduk duduk” at the people and media.

For example at Friday night’s rally, the PKR state chief should be made to answer as to why there was no cordoned-off area for the press and the guest-speakers?  Why were members of the crowd allowed to come right up to the stage? Where was the space for the press and camera crew? What if there had been a stampede or trouble? Really, it doesn’t always need agent provocateurs to create trouble. Very often, all it takes is an over-enthusiastic audience and a very poorly-trained team of marshals to trigger a stampede that can leave dozens injured.

These are the nuts and bolts that PKR leaders have to come to grips with if they are to continue with their rallies spree. They need to snap out from the ‘after-glow’ of their huge success and work harder to overcome sheer, shoddy and incompetent organization. The support and trust of the people are not given for free, it must be returned not just with expressions of thanks and gratitude but with real and greater professionalism. More than ever before because PR leaders have now assumed near ‘cult’ status. Safety is a basic prerequisite and should no longer be left to amateur volunteers with little or even zero training.

It’s what we can do

Be that as it may, the Seremban folk who came were oblivious to danger or risk. They only wanted one thing – to take part in Blackout 505. “It’s the only thing we can do,” a Chinese girl in her 20s told Malaysia Chronicle at the end of the ceramah. She had come with a group of friends, most of whom are working in Seremban while a few are still final-year college students.

When asked if she would come again,”Yes, I like Ubah and as much as I can, I and my family will do our part. It can be signing petitions or some small monetary contribution but we will try to show our support.”

Indeed, the star-studded PR lineup was hard to resist. Apart from Anwar, who made another stunning speech, were PAS deputy president Mat Sabu, PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub, DAP life adviser Chen Man Hin, DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke, PKR president Wan Azizah, vice president Tian Chua, communications director Nik Nazmi, Selangor assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong and Seremban PKR Youth chief Nazree Yunus.

But stealing the show was Johari.  A former director of the notorious Biro Tata Negara or National Civics Bureau, he has performed the role of ‘chief emcee’ for the Blackout 505 rallies since they started on May 8. An outstanding speaker, Johari has also been instrumental in breathing oomph into the rallies, controlling and motivating the crowd with his booming voice. And tonight, he was in top form.

“Najib said ‘apa lagi Cina mau’ (what more do the Chinese want), Utusan wrote ‘apa lagi Cina mau’, Ibrahim Ali said we must boycott Chinese goods. I want to ask, are there any Malays here (in the crowd)? Any Indians? Any Chinese?” asked Johari.

He received a thunderous ”ada” or ‘yes’ to each question.

“This shows not only the Chinese reject Umno-BN but we the children of Malaysia. Let us send a clear message to Umno-BN that not just the Chinese but Malays, Kadazans and others reject Umno-BN. For more than 50 years, the Chinese, Malays and Indians supported BN but even as they grew stronger, in the end they cheated us. And now that the people have awakened, they feel under pressure and so they ask ‘what more do the Chinese want?’. Pordah, pordah, pordah (get lost, get lost, get lost). We are the children of Malaysia.

“And because 52% of us did not vote for them  but for Pakatan Rakyat, an Umno leader said you can go pick another country and get out of Malaysia. Oi, who are you (to say this) , who are you you? Is this your father’s country? This is our country, this our country, this is our country. Who is this person who wants to chase us out. Oi, pordah! Oi pordah! Oi pordah!

“We know that in GE13 we won but victory was stolen from us and this is why we are gathering tonight. Enough is enough! You have cheated us, we don’t want to wait till GE14, we want today itself. Hidup rakyat (long live the people)!”

Najib takut oh!

In his 80s, Chen Man Hin – the grand old man of DAP – still found the energy to come out and join the Ubah movement.

“We are very angry. Anwar is very brave. We want him to be firm. At the moment, he is the leader of PR. One day not very far, Anwar will be PM. This is why Najib manyak goncang, takut oh, takut oh (Najib is shaking, he’s very scared, very scared). Why? because he lost and had to play dirty in order to win,” Chen told the laughing crowd.

At least 30 dubious seats: DAP will never join BN

DAP youth chief Anthony Loke told the crowd there were at least 30 dubious seats that the Pakatan wanted a review on and re-election for. He also said the Pakatan was now in process of gathering evidence and hoped to file all the election petitions sometime next month.

Anthony also had the crowd on their feet when he said DAP would never join BN, quashing rumors that it was set to replace MCA and be the new Chinese component party for the BN.

Why should we wait till GE13

And when it was Anwar’s turn to speak, the 64-year-old veteran bolstered Anthony’s list of cheating allegations with some examples of his own including in his Permatang Pauh constituency and those of his colleagues also hit by alleged fraud such as PAS deputy president Mat Sabu and vice president Salahuddin Ayub.

He also tested the sentiment of the crowd, asking them if he should – as some have suggested – wait until the next general election which could take place as far away as in 2018, or should he stick on and fight for the ‘rightful’ results of the May 5 general election.

The response was clear. No way, yelled back the crowd and cheered him on to challenge the controversial GE13 results.

“Some people say never mind, be patient, you can win the next election, the GE14, the youth are with you, you can do it. Nonsense! We have already won this election. We demand our rights,” Anwar said.

“The principle is what is stolen must be returned. You have stolen this election, we demand our right for victory in the 13th general election. BN has no more agenda.”

Anwar also took to task the Attorney General Gani Patail, warning the latter not to ‘over-abuse’ his power when going after opposition leaders, for example such as Nik Nazmi.

“Perhimpunan (rally) is not halal. Stealing timber is halal, stealing land is halal, cheating is halal, cheating voters is halal. I want to see them. I want to tell the Attorney General, stop your nonsense,” said Anwar.

BlackBerry Q5 is the 2nd QWERTY keyboard BlackBerry 10 smartphone. It is available in Black, White, Red and Pink. Available in selected markets in July 2013.

Read the full article at BlackBerry Q5 Mobile: Low-cost QWERTY BB10 Smartphone by LiewCF Tech Blog. Follow @liewcf on Twitter. Like LiewCF FB Page on Facebook.

Yesterday was Lee Hom’s 37th birthday. THIRTY SEVENTH.

That’s a pretty big number.
How did he become so old?

The thought of it amused me. Unbelievable. Last I knew, he was just 25.

Then I remembered my own age. I am already 27 this year. When Lee Hom was himself 25, I was 15 – the year I knew him.

Then, I pictured myself in Lee Hom’s shoes at my present age – how it must have been, and I remembered myself at the age of 15.

I felt the passing of time. I felt how much things have since changed. How much I have grown mentally and spiritually.

How far I have since travelled in discovering myself, my path and my destiny.

Interesting how Lee Hom’s birthday led me to reflect on myself.

Happy birthday, Lee Hom. May you continue to grow and evolve too.