Amde Sidik

Time to make an assessment

2006-08-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Will the ceasefire hold? May be just may be what can we make out of this, Israel onslaught on Hezbollah in

Lebanon

.
Why has it to be more than 34 days before world’s body acted?
Why wait until thousand killed.
Why was it not a single word uttered by

USA

, British and Australia Government to bring about peace to stop the war?

What has happened to other super rich and powerful Muslim nations? Why are these people mumped?

Who are Hezbollah and Hamas?

Well in the eyes

USA

and British government, they are terrorist organisations.
However, USA and British government did not put them up, as was in Iraq, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia, this is why they do not like Hamas and Hezbollah. Its own people elected Hamas government. They are legitimate government by their choice or perhaps more legitimate than the government of

Iraq

. Surely, Palestine is more democratic than most Arab nations in the Middle East.

What other mode of democratic process can be deployed to bring about democracy? I cannot think of any other than putting a vote in ballot box. The

USA

and British government will shout even louder if there is any other way of forming a government. Surely, they will say any other process is undemocratic.

Whatever it is, any simple minded human with an IQ above 70 can now see that the two world's superpower do not merit preaching about democracy nor do they merit being the guidance angel to talk about moral value.

Iran is right in not bowing to them over that its nuclear issue, when we know

Israel

is the fifth largest nation in the world to have nuclear reactor. My view if, after many tries Israel still could not demolish Hezbollah or Hamas perhaps it is not strange if

Israel

perhaps resorts to use its nuclear capability.

Time to see the different between Jews and Israel government, it is the Zionist, not every Jews in the world share the view taken by

Israel

government.

The USA and the British governments impliedly that any bearded Osama Bin Laden look-alike are terrorists or any Muslim is subject to their suspicion.

The Zionist media tried their best even to obfuscate the cowardice of their own kin by wrongly portraying Hezbollah was hiding behind women and children.

Whatever it was, since it involved killing of innocent lives, it is pure stupidity talking about scoring political mileage. Imagine the person involved in making decision that launched the killings and among those killed were his family, what will he feel?

What happen to you people?

2006-08-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt that you want to be left alone on your own sometimes? Not even want to watch your favourites TV channels for news items?

I have; for example, I have not been watching any TV channels for the past two weeks. It isn’t about having no time to watch! I simply can’t tolerate watching and hearing the news about killing by bombing on innocent people or bombing randomly for the sake of talking about democracy is at work.

What has happened to intelligent being? Some went to the most prestigious universities, bred by the most well behaved parents, some portraying too religious, some have got everything that God has given. Yet behaving very uncivilized than the most uncivilized beings ever.

This is to do with world's leadership, claiming to be practising rule of justice and human right for everyone.

It’s the bombings and killings in Lebanon and Palestine that I am referring to.

Israel has learnt a lot, the holocaust by Nazis. They, the Jews knew better. They should help the world not to repeat the genocide; they should fight for mankind not paying revenge by killing innocent people and in a wrong place at a wrong time.

Again the whole world knows its USA government’s blessing and Britain government’s support that turns Israel monstrous.

Israel and Palestine have been at war most of the time. Palestine captured one soldier hid him somewhere. The Israel soldiers killed hundreds, but that one captured soldier served as the main reason for all out killing, and opportune time wipe out Hamas’s government. In as far as USA and British government are concerned they are not in hurry to mediate peace. They know at the end of the day their friend will win, it did before. Just ring for any short of ammunitions.

The two governments- USA and British make the world no longer a safe place for everyone and the bombing and killing are the two governments’ poker game.

History tells us the British government created and recreated the Middle East nations now she is reinventing them, so that Arabs leaders themselves lost bearing.

What can I make out of Arabs leaders looking from a pin hole? They can only play ghost and scare mongering but no power, in the end the innocent people, children and helpless women are the main victim. Their leaders are incapable of managing their countries without seeking assistant from the superpowers.

Good leaders here aren't born to rule instead only to be ruled

Why are they incapable even when resources are in their hands?

I don’t know I will give my opinion later.

But the Arab nations are led by leaders who have very little interests to understand their own history, they forgot it as soon as the day breaks.

Islam is the greatest religion envied by most religions on earth born in this region, but advocators of the religion practised their own fancies and favours by reason that the Quran provides no fixed meanings that confuses themselves, in return leaders with ulterior motives abused it to suit their interests.

But just to be reminded, wars and battles didn't start because of religion, no religion that I knew of practices atrocity but its to do with all but selfishness for want of power and wealth.

Need of change

2006-07-31T05:02:00.000-07:00

Question begins propping up these days. Is the appetite to see political landscape changed

in Malaysia really exits? Yes, say some political analysts. And its normal phenomenon, it happens everywhere around the globe.

The country has been ruled by the same political bodies without a break for 49 years in the case of Malay Peninsular, it was since 1957 when the Federated Malay States declared independent from British Empire.

For Malaysia it was since 1963, six years later when the Federated Malay States together with two Borneo states Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore formed Malaysia, I say formed not joined (Singapore ceded in 1967)

The question in people’s mind is, if change is to take place how and what form? Meaning, the government of the day is completely from new political party or parties.

Many say this is impossible. But it’s also a common knowledge that politics is an art of possible!-I will discuss in the next posting

This want of change isn’t seen on the surface, like a destructive tsunami and no one wants it that way but the undercurrent is building up like unused furniture collecting dust every moment.

Unlike a few, I wouldn’t say it’s like a time bomb, but I am sure something is in the making.

For all these years except in 1969 and the event led to the sacking of Anwar from politics, Malaysian hasn’t faced any major and upheavals; people don’t quarrel over political ideologies-most of them don’t care, some don’t even understand it whilst some got fed up.

Malaysians have learnt and taken stock from their experience of Malaysia’s May 13th. They have also seen around the globe what benefit would they get if they have to fight over trivial matters.

Some are cautious though if the wind of change from an example of a tiny dust becomes a fully grown mountain at that stage it only requires little ignition to explode. When and if it explodes it could be a costly affair for a fragile young country like Malaysia.

The explosion happens because of people’s high expectations and when expectations aren’t met. People resort to wanting to hear good reasons and if reasons aren’t given or unsatisfactorily given people will find ways to maneuver or even behaving as an anti establishment to show their displeasures for failures of the government of the day.

By the way, overthrowing through ballot boxes is hundred times better than what some countries experienced overthrowing the government via military coup d’etat or killing and murdering leaders.

In scenario like this the price is very high and we don’t dream to experience it, we pray it will never happen to us.

Our Political Leaders Mump

2006-07-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

What has happened to our nation's leadership? Something doesn't seem to be right at the moment.

The furor between the former Prime Minister and the current Prime Minister is ever heating up.

Now both are absence on overseas tour what a coincident, thus further clarifications are kept in abeyance until they both around.

One or two cabinet ministers did try to soothe out the situation but instead, the answers strayed like a rain of bullets without a target.

Most YBs –Wakil Rakyat don’t say anything. Why? Well we are familiar with technicality.

Some young people asked if it is normal when young people want to know something no body provides the answer? Ha ha! this is a serious statement. These young could be the voters!

I talked to a few government Ministers of their views, why no YBs publicly in command to provide good explanation? Their common arguments are they say all this hoo ha hoo ha was created by media sensationalizing the situation in order to discredit the government of day. I was a bit surprise-do we buy this? Not entirely.

By the way who own the main media in the country? Why would the media people want to create unnecessary havoc to jeopardize their bread and butter, so to speak? Short time ago we couldn’t even put our argument on line, let alone on printed media.

During Tun Mahathir tenure no printed Malaysian media would want to publish anything not in line with Prime Minister's idea. Malaysiakini is among the on line media that Mahathir refused to recognise until a few months ago, when turned out to be the only medium published Mahathir interviews.

Some years ago even the on line media like Malaysiakini was subjected to scrutiny, some even raided by the authority. Yet to a vast majority of Malaysians, this is the only choice if they want to see what is behind the splendor of Petronas Twin Towers.

Now back to the issue, is no response from the Prime Minster the answer? I heard the argument from our local state politicians-Minister, his defence to the current PM which is only logical. He, the PM has just in the office about two years ago, twenty years short compare with the former. He therefore should be given time. I take the point. I also agree the styles of both former and current PMs are vastly different but the objectives are the same as far as Malaysians would like to assume.Thus the issue in question is the methodoly alone?

If that is the reasoning I would say that should form the basis of argument. It’s a matter of putting it in prospective. But why can’t any Wakil Rakyat or Minister do explanation just that? I meant with a little of intelligent put into a coherent manner.

I understand the YBs and Ministers alike have very little choice to maneuver. Once one says something if it isn’t calculated properly his or her words could easily be construed as siding one side whilst against another, therefore he or she can’t effort to make a wrong choice. Thus mumping is the preferable option.

This has been the ritual of Malaysian leaders, Malaysia boleh- play safe is the rule of the day, say nothing until a winner is apparent, then only they will all say sokong.

The Dark Side is on..

World Cup is almost nearing the end. In a day or two we shall know between Italy and France which one will appear champion.
World Cup overshadowed all other world's events in the past few months. See the power of football. Nothing can be done about it.
On the other side of the globe, Iraq is still for ever facing trouble; Bush promises were far from being fulfilled just yet to bring democracy.

Afghanistan administration once again awakens by another Taliban insurgency which the American government thought business here was almost done. Sorry not really.

And the worst of all is the mounting heavy-handed of Israel government to demolish Palestine government and its people.

What does American government do? So far nothing and what does it mean a kin to a blessing?

It is so easy for Israel government to say that dropping bombs and shooting rampantly killing and hurting children women or public at large were not meant to kill. I don't know yet what kind of bomb if explodes doesn't kill or hurt people, pop corns in frying pan? Let me say what Bush has in mind.

It’s because Palestinians are Arabs and Arabs are Muslim and Muslim is not pleasing to Bush government, because the most powerful terrorist on earth is Muslim- Osma bin Ladin-the Al Qaeda network. But it doesn't mean all Muslim are terrorists!

Osama had gained a little knowledge from American leaders; he was once trained under American expert in warfare. Osama was praised for his fighting spirit at that time because he helped to chase out the Russians but now Osma is chasing American army out of Afghanistan. American armies are not only in Afghanistan but all over the globe, for what? For planting democracy No, its purpose is to defence its government interest, especially natural recourses like oil and other minerals.

Nuclear is the issue for Iran and North Korea, the two breaking cardinal sin in as far as the superpower are concerned. But what about America, Israel, Pakistan and India all of them have nuclear reactors.

The Chinese Premier has just gone to African states on a mission to enlarge Chinese economic pie, no body doubts it, China could be world's economic superpower in the near future.

To many people its a good sign otherwise America will have free ride on everything all the way imposing its brand of democaracy, by first dropping bombs to any country that they consider unfriendly- it means enemy, later installed leadership to suit them.

Whilst Russian has a teething problem on her own, she can't say aloud but she cannot be completely forgotten she is one of the six permanent members in the UN, she can still say no sanction to Iran to reflect world's disagreement- and we can also see here, she has interest in Iran whilst American doesn't because she can't.

To sum up it’s all to do with asset and power.

I keep on saying government here; my reason is all worlds’ conflict on earth was created by the government of the country of the day. People from one country don’t fight with another people from another country. Even if they fight the consequence is not that great.

One American writer asked Hanoians, why they let go of their animosity, when their country and people were bombed merciless, the usual response was during the war the enemy was the American government not the American people.

Something Disturbing

Something disturbing, don’t you hear or read on the online? Some say news online cannot be trusted they are unreliable or unauthentic. My answers would be depending on where do you see what you read. To distrust everything on line doesn’t do justice. Even printed media may not be that reliable, sometimes they are telling only half-truth; sometimes they conceal the truth or they tell everything what they can possibly tell.

However, you and I know for sure their objectives (media owners) among others are to keep on going and to continue making money. Everything plain doesn’t entice them to stay on the course. It is up to us to make evaluation. If you can’t evaluate what you read, the best way perhaps is stop reading including this one.

If we think hard enough, anywhere in the world, there is always an element of suspicion and biasness but at the same time, we have to make do with the system, as we can’t afford to have by ourselves

However, over the years most established media that we read every day have theirs on line too, except not all on line have printed papers. Therefore, many reputable on line media have quite reliable and trust worthy information via their sophisticated research techniques.

I think that’s enough, I’ve been roaming around the bush! The question I want to make is, why aren’t there any debates on Malaysia Police’s rejection to the proposal of establishing an Independent Police Complaint and Misconduct Commission –IPCMC which was announced by the Prime Minister a few months ago?

No highlights were made in the national printed media or even TVs, ironically, people from all walks of life talk about it from kedai kopi to five star hotel.

My guess is people made an effort to look for that story after all, this is of national importance, and it touches people’s life. People pay taxes and people pay any conceivable government’s rates and levies. Police’s salaries are from here, who say people have no right to know where the money goes?

I say disturbing because I am one of those who supported and believe very strongly that our Prime Minister was in the right direction when he agreed to set up IPCMC. In this column alone (Daily Express), I mentioned a few time times over the years about the need to have an Ombudsman. However, IPCMC seems to be the most appropriate. The process can easily be understood by masses. The timing of setting up is no more appropriate than this time.

Beaten up guy by the police during a peaceful demonstration against the electricity hike recently in Kuala Lumpur. Why is it in any demonstration people have to be bitten or shot by water cannon or even killed? Demonstration is a way of expressing views like or dislike, so long as they don’t hurt any one or property–civilised demonstration doesn’t- demonstrators should be given space. Why not let them as they are. To achieve certain degree of civilization people need training, here is the training how to behave. However, if they are punished long even before they start, they will never be civilised.

During the last general election majority of the people were quite happy to vote BN political parties. BN won big majority in the history of the country. People in return hope that the current government would give people a big break.

Assuming the government is backing in out in this issue. This can be considered one of the biggest failures on the part of the current government. We have already experiencing set backs in the past few months. The PM didn’t do much on reshuffling his cabinet, the lady squat issue, petrol and electricity hike. Manifestation of disarray was already seen in the Sarawak State general election. I can say this is a costly affair if the government is not careful. It costlier to buy people hearts this time round. This isn’t black mailing statement as my only interest is to prove that I know the subject I talk about.

On the other hand, the claim here is not something created by failed politicians or those in the NGOs because no other organisations want them to be associated with or opposition politicians whose only job is to score political mileage. It is from the heart of ordinary citizens who want to live in peace and quiet all the time-happy enough because the country is progressing soundly. However, don’t want to have first class infrastructure with third class mentality. It’s a waste.

People in general are getting educated now, don’t we realise we have so many universities created within the last ten years. Honestly, I lost count how many, with this development, taste, wants and expectation becomes more diverse, politician must take cognition to the changing environment.

Thus the need of establishing IPCMC has been elaborated somewhere else at great length, no need for me to rewrite but suffice to say that WE are disheartening to learn from the response of the top police personnel. Their remarks were most unbecoming of public body in the history of the country. For those who have chance to read the ‘Police counter proposal’ in their official website recently would know what I am saying. I will highlight few paragraphs taken from that document below:

In the opening statement, the document says: we don’t need it. Which means the Police doesn’t need IPCMC, fair enough but the people do.

My interpretation by using word We as if police force is untouchable or police isn’t a public institutions thus out of the ambit of the government.

They claimed that, there is no clear, urgent and pressing need to form IPCMC, again that’s from their perspective but we are talking about general public.

They say the method of self regulatory is good enough, I would say self regulatory is most abused system and it is always discriminatory in nature, prejudices, biasness name it, it happened in so many incidents. This is why IPCMC is needed; they say the having IPCMC is against natural justice I think this is out of context. People aren’t treated fairly against natural justice not the government bodies.

They claimed its against Federal Constitution, my view is, without going into details the very idea of establishing IPCMC is to uphold constitutional rights for every citizens not just the police personnel. But the most threatening comment of all is the police will vote for opposition if they are force to agree with the proposal and they also threatened to work-to-rule and allow the crime rate to go up. Is this not amounting to blackmailing?

I consider their reasoning was not only amateurish but too emotional; it’s no different than an opposition political party.

I short; we don’t want Malaysia to become a Police state.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Competitive Mind

We hear now how China and India are leapfrogging in as far as development and modernisation of their countries.
India's strength can also be seen on information technology in years to come. But at the same time India is giving China a courtesy- you go first and catch you later.
Who would disagaree? Looking at the rate of commercial and industrial activities in the respective countries today; something is really happening.
The main receipe; both China and India have over a billion people. In economic sense it makes sense. Sound countries always starts with numbers. Second is, the quality of their people-sure not that difficult to find when they are so many to choose from. I recall now, our former Prime Minister-Tun Mahathir some years ago made a public policy statement that Malaysia needs more babies. I would imagine that what he had in mind. Wonder what has happened? Can we not know the outcome of that policy? I mean any follow up? You see, this is what usually happened to our people, an old medieval mentality, Malay proverb says seperti pahat dengan pemukul-like a hammer and a chisel. In other words, do only as told.

I said to my students a few years ago, while you sitting down here and about to get your degree from university don't just think about getting employment in Luyang or Inanam. If I were you I should be preparing myself to assimilate my body and mind in places like China, India or perhaps Brazil. You will find something amuzing, something different and something challenging in life. And this is where you can exercise your full potential in business or in other fields of your choice, minus of course, anything harmful to you and others. That qualification in your hand should enable you to embark in this mission. If you survive and suceed then only you call youself qualified.

Come to numbers again. In Kota Kinabalu remember in so many occasions, when ever there was operation flushing the illegal immigarants-this is because Sabah has half of its population made up of immigants and illegal immigrants- our local kedai runcit, fruits and vegetables sellers complained that business was no good because not many people patronising the kedai. It means, all this while among the important source of business survival in Kota Kinabalu or anywhere else in Sabah is number of people. Unfortunetly we don't have the second criteria of people ie, high quality and brainy.

Mental Block

Yesterday I thought I could be writing a page or two. I couldn't. I read the whole of National Geography instead, including advertisements. I have no particular interest in its contents other than wanting to get it done with the issue- May.
I subscribed this magazine for some years now but seldom spent time to read seriously, mostly no more than browsing a few pages. But from beginning of this year I determined to change the habit of wasting money for not utlising it to the fullest.I discover appreciation that this magazine is really of high quality. What captivated me most is the photogrpahs and indepth reporting. I do long to read any subject that comes from the South East Asia.

Now I have something at the back of my mind, my students- have they read this kind of material?I don't expect them to read many magazines. But they should cultivate interest in reading any spcialist magazines even if it is not related to what they want to do in life in the future.
When I was student at the university I used to be a consultant for camera and photography virtually anything about camera I could challange untrained sales person on this topic.
A close friend of mine who had a similar interest but his was on violin he and I spent hours and hours listening to the sound of violin in violin shop.He was our referee when came to music from this instrument. This may not sound so interesting when compare to computer games today. Kids spent most of their time blasting with the high tech sound . But I don't really get the gist of it perhaps I am too old for it.
I came to know this computer games in the cyber cafe, just to be cautioned, my experienced, not all the so called cyber cafe provide computer service.
A few days ago I had problem with my notebook, it hung too much and according to the computer expert it caught too many virus and too many bloodly spywares. I sent it to a friend to help me checked.Since I didn't want to disturb my little son, borrowing his PC would upset his time allocated to him. I went to cyber cafe. I noticed kids and adults alike came to this place was with a sole purpose, to play game, I would say ninty percent of them. I wonder if game of this kind is of any educational value? I come back to my students I mentioned just now when they can't communicate to lecturer in language they supposed to use in class and examination. I would imagine computer through internet would be a very useful tool to help imporved oneself on the subject that one is weak at. Able student is always good at communication and communication can only be effectively made through knowledge and understanding of subject one talks about. But how many of my sudents make use of this facility? I know too, they are more capable than me if anything wrong with the computer.

Leadership by example

Datuk Shahrir Samad resigned as leader of Malaysia Parliament's backbenchers last week. Because he didn't get the support from his fellow members within the ruling party. Many didn't expect him taking such a bold move. Malaysians aren't used to it.
The motion was moved by the Oppostion's member.In Malaysia, opposition's view isn't worth a dime?
Who voted opposition members to Parliament? -People. Whose money used to pay their salaries? -People's money. Whose money used to pay the ruling party's members? -People's money. Basically people want both the oppostion and the ruling party representatives in Parliament. Why? Because they feel, there is a need to have a counterweigh to avoid abuse of power and position by those above, and it helps safeguard the interest of people and nation.

If a motion comes from the ruling party regardless how trivial or feeble it is, it must be supported. This doesn't sound right if going by rational not in this era.
Prime Minister said, thats the rule! it has worked in the past and must still work today.
Rules are made by men and if men can't think and behave rationally because of the rules we shouldn't stick to it. Kalimullah Hassan -New Straits Time says, it would be anarchy if peolpe didn't follow the rules. I would say depend on what rules-the rule the Datuk Shahrir Samad has broken wouldn't. Come on! Matahhir did more than that
I think our leaders are out of touch with the real world.See what will the Sarawak State General Election's outcome in a few weeks time see if there is any indication.
I believe that there is something that general Malaysian is waiting patiently for decades. During Mahathir's era things were tightly control by coercion, sanctions, rewards and punishment , these were rules of the game. Freedom of choice provides for by law of the country was subject to interpretion of executives. Country's legal system no matter how established was tented by arbitrary apponiment and dismissal of judges. Among the landmarks were the sacking of country's Lord President and dubious trail of Anwar Ibrahim. No one ever said that PM was abusing his power. Because there were ready rewards for keeping quiet and ready penalties for any one against him.I didnt object everything he did but simply like to be reminded incase we have already forgotten, just incase we might not be that lucky if comes the second time.
It is only logical now that people expect the current Prime Minister to provide a breathing space.
We are so near yet so far, judging from the current pace, we still have to wait a little while before we can exercise some of our freedom as we understand provided for by our constitution. As of today after 43 years Malaysia merdeka, we are still treated like an infant, told what to do and not to do by our leaders, whose ideas for some, are no better than average people on the street...this is dangerous for mental development, as if, their views and ideas are flawless.Nation is developed because the mind of its citizen is allowed to mind afterall we are capable now.

Putting Malaysia on the map

I remember writing to Times Newspaper in England some years ago correcting some facts about Malaysia. One of them was this "Malaysia now manufactured car called proton which is in Singapore" It took me a while to understand what that little article meant.
My interpretation was, Malaysia and Singapore are of the same country or Malaysia is in Singapore or the writer was stupid in geography if not half insane by Western standard. A few days later I received a reply from the editor thanking me for that correction.
Of course by now Malaysia has improved it placing in the world map-there is Formula One, Twin Tower,high technology international airport, Chairman of NAM,Chairman for OIC. Malaysian has climbed Everest, sailed round the world, swam the British Channel and so...so
What are these? We called it Malaysia boleh!
The above boleh is going to be irrelevant and obsolute. There are something more than just the rhetoric slogan needed. Malaysia must provide enviroment for brainy people, they should be given leeway to exercise their right to be creative and innovative, banning home grown documentry film like Amir Muhamad's isn't a healthy sign. Allowing ordinaray people to hear and see opposition members debating issues in parliament because it is educational for people, and it is a healthy development.If its is not acceptable by RTM , than allow individuals to have independent TV station if they apply.
People agree or disagree to their leaders based on how well and how natural the reasons are given. If people reject the leaders' ideas they need not be bribed and given favours.We know some leaders are only warming their seats, they are there by flux not by merit, they are there because of the system.They are there because of you scrub me and I scrub you thing! In the past that system was acceptable, but now that system is outdated needs to be improved if we want to produce high quality of leadership.