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Comment
Letter from Pulau Tikus |
| Boasting ONE THING GOOD that Bolehland does well is boasting; and it is deep into frequent dreams of greatness. Petronas aimed to be a world champ; we were going to have a world class parliament; we would make Malaysia a centre of learning; a world class zoo negara; a world class Puterajaya. Provincial Ipoh would have the biggest water theme park in SE Asia; as gigantic would be Penang's Church Street Pier Marina. When a US congressman visited in 2005 he learnt that we were a role model for the world, so we were not surprised when a professor told us that we could be a model for Iraq. To add to the weight of our greatness the Star newspaper reminded us that we were a global presence to be reckoned with. We learnt from the same that we had "multi ethnic food" which we were taking to the world. And did you know that London was bowled over by local batik? Amidst the thunder of chest thumping we heard that the Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST), a post-graduate university which boasted research tie-ups with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) when it opened in 2002 has only 10 students left on the campus. While UMNO is degenerating into a chorus of kris waving jingoes did it hear the news about backward China overtaking Japan as an R & D centre and that Roche have set up a research centre there. Hasn't anyone told Roche's that we too are world class? Democracy Do the opposition parties seriously believe in freedom? Do they really want the ISA and the other laws they complain are oppressive and a denial of human rights abolished? I ask this because the opposition is again making police reports against alleged violations of these very laws which they say they hate and the latest is the reporting of UMNO leaders to the police for offences said to be committed by their speeches. I personally am in favour of allowing freedom of speech for UMNO fellows; without that we wouldn't know what the guys there are really thinking. Whip them I am not surprised that a Barisan Nasional MP has called for foreign prostitutes to be whipped. We have retained that barbarous punishment for certain crimes but even |
| though we hang women we have spared them
the indignity of being stripped and caned till the skin of the backside comes
off. If the government listens to this MP even this little remnant of humanity
will disappear. MP Mohamed Aziz asked, "If we can impose whipping
for drug addicts, why can't we do the same for prostitutes." Why does
he not demand that the customers be made to enjoy the same? King The newspapers are again describing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as "King." We have previously pointed out that this is the wrong way to address the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. To save our readers the trouble of going back through the archives we reproduce part of that comment. "... But the question is: do we have a "King"? The answer is clearly "No". The office of "Yang di-Pertuan Agong" was the brain child of Dato Onn who, by this subtle devise, created the new post of head of state for 1957 Malaya. He could not be called " president," for that would have smacked of republicanism, a repugnant concept in a country with nine sultans. The solution was a "Yang di- Pertuan Agong" who would preside over meetings of the sultans in council, but without sovereignty. He was neither a "sultan" nor a "king" but was to be elected every five years by the Conference of Rulers from among the Rulers. Being a creation of statute he was required to swear to carry out his duties in the administration of Malaya in accordance with the laws and constitution. Thus he is not a "king" inheriting from his forefathers the "divine right of kings" nor is he the " fountain of justice." The kings, the sovereigns, are in the nine sovereign Malay states, as the privy council reminded us in 1910." The UMNO essence The Zakaria case is fascinating, and educational. An UMNO big shot is appointed state assembly man, also a municipal councillor. His wife is also a big shot on the Women's side and is also a councillor. His son is also one. It is not cronyism or favouritism which resulted in these coincidences but it is the rule, we are told, that councillors are appointed in accordance with party positions in UMNO. No wonder Zakaria builds a palace of a house without planning permission on a piece of land which the wife gets cheap from the government, does not pay assessment, and runs a satay house standing illegally on state land. Sensation followed sensation. Another councillor obtained 2.4 hectares land in return for payment of RM7,000, yet another built his house without approval. And what was the reaction of the UMNO people? Oh, they said, Zakaria is a good fellow, he has helped poor people. There was no indication that any of the main characters in the scandals were ashamed of what they had done or omitted to do. Zakaria even said, "I feel I am still needed," adding that the Party leaders had endorsed him to attend at the Party general assembly. Don't forget the marriage cert I hope the tourist people won't forget to advice tourists this coming Visit Malaysia Year to bring along their marriage certificates just in case the religious department bursts into their bedrooms at midnight. By the way the Langkawi Tourist board has |
| apologised to the American "Make Malaya
My Second Home" couple for the disgraceful invasion of privacy but not
the religious department. Are they above the law? Good marks I must mention that the Pensions department provides excellent service. They require a myriad of forms to fill in but are very patient explaining how to do so. Kopitiam I notice that one coffee shop along Beach Street now calls itself the "xx Kopitiam," reflecting the influence of tourism and tv. Kopitiam is the Baba for the ubiquitous coffee shop which is styled variously on the signboards as "tea house Sin x x , " "Happy coffee house," "Ban Lee Coffee Shop" and so on. Some have a translation provided which begins with "Kedai Kopi" but never "kopitiam." Hot Those of you living abroad should thank your lucky stars. For the past few weeks we in Penang have been roasted at 90 degrees F. The pleasant nights of 80 degrees are only a memory. # K L Chai |
Eurasian Association 1-7A Kelawei Road Pulau Tikus for dinner, drinks, music Alphonsus Scully 012 475 1978 fax 04 898 2422 email esommerz@yahoo.com |
| ______ INDEX Point to the article that you want to read, and CLICK Index page Baba jingles Book
review Food guide
Foreign eye The jungle war (9)
Letter from
Pulau Tikus MacMichael's bullying
The Straits Chinese
The wise magistrate |
| _____________________ The Penang File Issue 50 |