Repackaging their empty promises in lame excuses has been taken to a sublime art by a handful of frogs whose big talks have started sounding emptier than.
.BROTHER ANWAR has exposed the loot of the nation in full public view by some obvious villains in corrupt politicians, collusive bureaucrats and greedy companies. However, the role played by the legal community has gone largely unnoticed. Evidence suggests that lawyers across the board – in the law ministry, in Malaysia largest law firm Zaid &co those who work within companies – also let the nation down by failing in their duty to report and perhaps even stop the scam All of these acts call into question some very serious issues relating to the conduct and professional capacity that our legal community has exhibited both within and outside the government.I am not a lawyer. I am a journalist. But there is no doubt in my mind that the legal community could have prevented this scam by clearly distinguishing for their clients what is lawful versus what is unlawful. This would have meant advising their clients against the actions that they took as opposed to telling them what they wanted to hear.
I am raising this issue in the hope that it will lead to further debate and introspection among those with a deeper understanding of law.
Judge for yourselves, my learned friends.
.BROTHER ANWAR has exposed the loot of the nation in full public view by some obvious villains in corrupt politicians, collusive bureaucrats and greedy companies. However, the role played by the legal community has gone largely unnoticed. Evidence suggests that lawyers across the board – in the law ministry, in Malaysia largest law firm Zaid &co those who work within companies – also let the nation down by failing in their duty to report and perhaps even stop the scam All of these acts call into question some very serious issues relating to the conduct and professional capacity that our legal community has exhibited both within and outside the government.I am not a lawyer. I am a journalist. But there is no doubt in my mind that the legal community could have prevented this scam by clearly distinguishing for their clients what is lawful versus what is unlawful. This would have meant advising their clients against the actions that they took as opposed to telling them what they wanted to hear.
I am raising this issue in the hope that it will lead to further debate and introspection among those with a deeper understanding of law.
Judge for yourselves, my learned friends.
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We can't tell you how happy we are to bring you the third installment of Sassy Gay Friend just this month. Sure, our heroine-saving hero with a penchant for scarves is coming to us at a price -- product placement -- but at least we're getting to see more than just the occasional episode.
Last week's "Black Swan" episode was a hit, but this week S.G.F. gets back to his roots and helps out one of Shakespeare's ladies: Lady Macbeth.
"First of all, stop getting your political news from crazy old women who live in the bushes," isn't even the snappiest line in this rescue session, where S.G.F. convinces Lady Macbeth not to act like a crazed control freak. Watch the video below and check Sassy Gay Friend's spiffy new website and his Facebookfor more sassy gay goodness.
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gay and bisexual men's preferences about the characteristics of a future rectal microbicide for anal intercourse
Yesterday, Zaid Ibrahim announced that Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng, who, on 1st March, last year, resigned from PKR and declared himself an independent MP, had joined Zaid’s party.
FreeMalaysiaToday reported that, at a press conference, Zaid said that “he was glad that Kita was able to attract young leaders into its fold despite being a fledgling political outfit”.
“It is a bold move by Tan to join us as he believes Kita is the party of the future”,Zaid is reported to have said.
It was further reported that when asked if Tee Beng’s joining his party may earn the MP the label ‘political frog’, Zaid responded by saying that ‘not everyone should be labeled as such’ and that ‘leaving a party based on principles as opposed to trivial reasons was different’.
Zaid, therefore, was suggesting that Tee Beng had walked out of PKR last year based on principles and for no other reason.
Interesting.
Interesting when you take on board what Zaid had to say last year about Tee Beng’s exiting PKR to declare himself an independent MP.
“They are not independent, they are independent in name only. They will eventually support Barisan National. Look at the Perak frogs. Obviously the independent MPs will become Barisan-friendly, why else would they leave Pakatan?” , Malaysianinsiderreported Zaid as saying the day after Tee Beng declared himself an independent MP.
The next day, 3rd March, Mohsin of Bagan Serai became the third PKR MP last year to walk out on the party and declare himself an independent MP.
On 4th March, Malaysianinsider reported Zaid as saying, in reference to the defection by the three : “We have enough evidence to show that this was something that was orchestrated some months back. The approaches… the inducements… the meetings… it all happened a while ago. However it is very difficult to obtain hard evidence on the matter but we have enough information about these meetings and offers. It is hard for us to act on it because then we might be too hasty…These people are only riding on PKR’s popularity to win their MP positions”, and added that the excuses given by the three MPs for the reasons behind their departures were merely “made up” and that the party did not need such “weak” leaders to champion its cause or leaders who could easily sacrifice the party’s struggles for the sake of an incentive offered by the enemy.
On 5th March, Malaysianinsider reported that Zaid categorically said that PKR had proof that the three MP who had defected, including Tee Beng, had been “bought over” by the BN.
And then Zaid made this promise.
“We promise that in the next round, our candidates will be better. The vetting process will be more strict and we will select only those who are truly there for the purpose of upholding justice and protecting the interests of the people — not those who have no interest in their jobs”.
I understand this promise to mean that candidates offered would be better than the likes of Tee Beng.
Zaid, today, it would seem, has a completely different perception of Tee Beng.
Parti KITA or Parti KITAR, could someone please pass the word on to Zaid that some rubbish are simply beyond rehabilitation, and not fit to be recycled, and ought not to be inflicted upon the rakyat?
Kitar president Zaid Ibrahim, who once insisted that a PKR colleague Zulkifli Nordin be sacked for lodging a police report against a fellow Pakatan Rakyat MP Khalid Samad, has himself lodged a police report against DAP chairman Karpal Singh.
Each of us is a control freak in his or her way. As kids we use tantrums and emotional blackmail to control our parents, siblings and friends. Growing up we are no different and spend most of our time and energy trying to control people and the environment around us. In fact, the urge to control, to own, to possess is one of the major issues in most relationships. We try to control our kids and they shrug off that authority beyond a point. We try to control our spouses and end up messing the relationship. We try to control colleagues in office and meet resistance.
Looking for ways and means to assert an upper hand, we forget to enjoy the differences that make other people unique. For if we do succeed in controlling someone, we have broken their spirit and the essence of what made them attractive to us — a hollow victory!
And in trying to control our environment, we come in direct conflict with many others trying to control the same set of circumstances to suit their varied needs. At some point, one is forced to give up and listen to the voice of reason, not necessarily in defeat, but by realising the futility of the exercise we are engaging ourselves in.
So if, upon realising the futility of controlling those around, Shefalee concluded that the best control is over herself, even if it is to control her daily activities, more power to her!
At the same event of The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, on my right sat author Anuja Chauhan, of The Zoya Factor fame. Also responsible for quite a few catchphrases in ad lingo such as Ye Dil Maange More, Anuja is a great one for figuring out the right areas to assert control over — her own private space.
Explaining how she juggled office work and writing, Anuja is reported to have said, "In your day job you don’t have that much control —there is research, budgets, deadlines, some stupid celebrity who doesn’t like his lines, etc. So I would put those things aside and write for three hours and I would feel chalo, at least something is in my control. So when you go back to the ad script, you are quite Zen-like about it."
Anuja is yet another woman who turned inwards to control her own inner space, rather than try to control the world around her. And emerged victorious.
Looking for ways and means to assert an upper hand, we forget to enjoy the differences that make other people unique. For if we do succeed in controlling someone, we have broken their spirit and the essence of what made them attractive to us — a hollow victory!
And in trying to control our environment, we come in direct conflict with many others trying to control the same set of circumstances to suit their varied needs. At some point, one is forced to give up and listen to the voice of reason, not necessarily in defeat, but by realising the futility of the exercise we are engaging ourselves in.
So if, upon realising the futility of controlling those around, Shefalee concluded that the best control is over herself, even if it is to control her daily activities, more power to her!
At the same event of The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, on my right sat author Anuja Chauhan, of The Zoya Factor fame. Also responsible for quite a few catchphrases in ad lingo such as Ye Dil Maange More, Anuja is a great one for figuring out the right areas to assert control over — her own private space.
Explaining how she juggled office work and writing, Anuja is reported to have said, "In your day job you don’t have that much control —there is research, budgets, deadlines, some stupid celebrity who doesn’t like his lines, etc. So I would put those things aside and write for three hours and I would feel chalo, at least something is in my control. So when you go back to the ad script, you are quite Zen-like about it."
Anuja is yet another woman who turned inwards to control her own inner space, rather than try to control the world around her. And emerged victorious.
It is important to channel one’s energies in the right direction and let other less important things fall away. It helps cut out the clutter and strengthen us in areas that really matter. It’s good if you are a control freak, just turn the focus inwards and control yourself. When life seems beyond control and everyone seems to be doing their own thing, the best thing to do is take a couple of steps backwards and many steps inwards — within yourself. There is an entire world waiting there to be controlled by nobody but you.
When in 1903 a young poet considering entering the Germany military, asked well-known German poet Rainer Maria Rilke for his views on his work, the senior poet replied in 10 letters. This correspondence that lasted over five years was later published as Letters to a Young Poet. Rilke says, "No one can advise or help you— no one. There is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: Ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: Must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple "I must," then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse."
And this holds true not just for writing, but for every passion that you may burn with, every silent yearning that resides within you. If it is the thing your heart beats for, then give it your all by taking control of your life and knocking off all the excess clutter.
Next time you get the urge to control someone else’s time, movements, decisions or life, ask yourself why you are wasting time trying to achieve the impossible? Control your urge and look for better arenas to control within!
When in 1903 a young poet considering entering the Germany military, asked well-known German poet Rainer Maria Rilke for his views on his work, the senior poet replied in 10 letters. This correspondence that lasted over five years was later published as Letters to a Young Poet. Rilke says, "No one can advise or help you— no one. There is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: Ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: Must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple "I must," then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse."
And this holds true not just for writing, but for every passion that you may burn with, every silent yearning that resides within you. If it is the thing your heart beats for, then give it your all by taking control of your life and knocking off all the excess clutter.
Next time you get the urge to control someone else’s time, movements, decisions or life, ask yourself why you are wasting time trying to achieve the impossible? Control your urge and look for better arenas to control within!
Zaid is no longer a PKR member, leaving in the most controversial of circumstances to form his own Kita party. Speculation had swirled that he was an Umno mole planted in PKR to destabilize the party and the Pakatan coalition.
Zaid denied the rumours, but seasoned political watchers predicted that Kita would secure approval from the Registrar of Societies in lightning time. After nearly two years, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has still refused to clear Pakatan's application for formal registration, but Zaid did not have to queue at all. This reinforced the perception that he has gone back to the Umno side of the fence.
Additionally, Prime Minister Najib Razak, president of Zaid's former party Umno, lavished praises on both Zaid and Kita.
It is also ironic because Zaid had waged a bitter campaign against PKR deputy president Azmin Ali on the basis that Azmin was too sunken in 'Umno' culture to be able to push the new politics needed to transform Malaysia. Yet he himself is now seen as a purveyor of the Umno brand of politics.
"This is rich coming from Zaid. But I think the more rope you give, the faster he is liable to trip himself. But frankly, what he is and who he supports is already well known. The question mark is not on Pakatan. It is on him," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
"Serious threats"
In typical Umno style - accompanied by a team of supporters - Zaid lodged the report against Karpal at the Kota Baru station on Saturday.According to Bernama, Zaid said the statement made by Karpal published in several news portals contained “serious threats to my safety”.
Like other former PKR members who also crossed over to support Umno-BN whether directly or indirectly, such as N Gobalakrishnan, Zulkifli Nordin, Salehuddin Hashim, Zahrain Hashim and Tan Tee Beng, Zaid's political staretgy has been focused on Anwar-bashing.
He recently joined the Umno-led bandwagon calling for the Opposition Leader to give the police his DNA samples, although there are grounds to be concerned that Anwar is unlikely to get a fair hearing for the sodomy charges pressed against him by Najib.
Anwar has denied the charges and blames Najib and Rosmah for hatching the plot to derail his political comeback.
Karpal, in his capacity as Anwar's defense counsel, had warned Zaid that his comments on Anwar could be in contempt of the court.
“The police are required by law to comply with the correct procedures in investigations. Anwar is entitled to a fair trial after a fair investigation. The law guarantees him that. No one, likewise, should and can, deny him that,” Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, had said in a statement last week.“There is no question of Anwar refusing to provide DNA samples. In 1998, it is on record that Anwar's DNA profiling was abused by the police. Anwar does not want to give the police another opportunity to repeat what was done in 1998. His fears are understandable and justified.
"As a lawyer, Zaid should know the bounds and parameters of the law of contempt. Zaid should not fish in troubled waters. It is a deadly risk, and the consequences can be equally deadly.”
True colors reinforced
It is unclear which part of Karpal's statement worried Zaid to the extent that he believed it contained “serious threats to my safety” but pundits said possibly the sentence "It is a deadly risk, and the consequences can be equally deadly.”
But rather than scoring a triumph over Karpal, Zaid is likely to draw more public ridicule and odium from this latest exchange.
In his previous spat with Karpal, he came off badly and perhaps because of this he may still be upset. Hence, the tit-for-tat.At the height of Zaid's verbal brawl against Anwar, a fed-up Karpal revealed that he had urged the Opposition Leader not to accept Zaid into PKR because Zaid could not be trusted.
"I had already told Anwar from the very beginning that the man (Zaid) could not be trusted as he quit Umno under a dark cloud and Anwar was taking a big chance by accepting him," Karpal told a press conference in November last year.
“How can one just want to take over the leadership of a party overnight? And when that was denied, Zaid openly attacked the man who threw him a lifeline in politics. Anwar was trying to guide Zaid to lead gracefully but there is no grace in this man.”
In retaliation, Zaid called Karpal a 'liar' and a 'snake'.
Even from his Umno days, Zaid has been known for his temper and described as a "loose canon" by many of his colleagues. But his choice of words against Karpal - whom many Malaysians regard as a living legend - infuriated Pakatan members.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has since revealed that he too - like Karpal - had warned Anwar against Zaid.
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