A SUGGESTION TO THE MEDIA

With the political tension barometer increasing in Malaysia for the last few months since the last election, i see nothing but political turmoil and negetive reporting in the local newspapers. It is sickening really, how priorities are given for these kind of news instead of good ones.

I will like to propose to all local newspapers to take a 3 days break from this practice and start doing the reverse by reporting the good side of the country and promote goodwill. This country needs a breather so it can focus on the right things.

Personally, if i dont see any change, i will stop buying all the papers for a week. It is not much, but it is a personal protest. So, how about it? Can we give peace to this country for 3 days or the profit is more important?

MALAYSIA DAY

There is a debate going on whether our Independence Day should be on 16 September instead of 31 August which is celebrated every year without fail. I think our Independence Day shall remain as that is the day we became a sovereign nation free of British interfearance and control.

The US celebrates the 4th of July as the Independance Day every year eventhough the full formation of the United States which consists of 51 states including Hawaii and Alaska happened at least 200 years later i think. And yet, i never heard of the United States Day, is there such a day?

Personally, i think the debate is academic and being made into a political issue to cause discontent among Sarawakians and Sabahans as they will feel that the lack of recognition when they joined the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia on that day.

However, it can be resolved amicably without loss to anybody except to the government and private sectors productivity when 16 September becomes another public holiday on the calendar. Malaysia already has plenty of public holidays due to the various ethnics celebration days, Prophet Birthday, Awal Muharram, Sultan and Agong coronation days and so on. Couple these with weekends throughout the year, we have one third of 356 days as off days, wow!

So, Mr PM why not just declare 16th September of every year as the Malaysia Formation Day and give all of us an additional public holiday. Asian are hard workers, surely it is good for them to have an additional off day to spend some quality time with their families. A happy home will motivate staff to become more productive and will balance the loss of productivity on that day i hope.

Besides, if we are targeting to be a developed nation by 2020, we need to take care of our human capital and their welfares like in the US where a lot of companies are practicing a 4 days week or Scandinavian countries which have the highest public holidays in the world. Yet, they are very productive and strong economically.

It is also good to put this matter to rest as the opposition cant use it anymore to score more political points and become more popular, and everybody can start debating on real issues which require more attention from everybody.

Happy Malaysia Day, yay!! I need to plan a fishing trip if it becomes a reality....where is my tekong's phone number?

ISA

Funny, i had just commented on 11 September 2008 about certain laws in dire need of review and how some decisions by the authority in imposing policies or laws were done in haste and leave a bad impression on them. Kaboom !! the ISA is used again on three individuals last week.

I personally feel one of the three was asking for it as that person had been walking on thin ice by being provocative despite so many warnings from the authority. The other two i am not so sure.

I am not here to argue the arrest per say, but the timing of it. The usage will add heat to already tense political situation in this country. Funny, the Law Minister in the Prime Minister Department start to condemn the usage, i thought the PM is supposed to sign the arrest warrant if the ISA were to be used?, unless i am wrong. So, i am sure he will consult somebody right? So, why the conflicting support and condemnation from the same group?

However, i think the ISA should remain albeit maybe with minor amendments on when it is allowed to be used by the Police. I dont know why we should get rid of it as it might serve some purpose. I think those who are scared of it are those who are up to no good. The United States also has the Homeland Security Act that was passed after 9/11 2002 that allows detention of her citizens and even extricate other countries citizens against their wish in the name of internal security and fight against terrorism. The majority of detainees are of Arab origin and Moslims. Yet, i dont hear DAP, the Bar Council, PKR, PAS or Malaysian NGOs complained or make a case about it, funny huh? Why? Is it because it doesnt affect them directly? But, i thought they are fighting for justice, surely it is applicable anywhere else in the world. Singapore also has it with a different name and now even Britain is having it in a different format after the bombing at the train station.

I think the law is not a problem, it is the interpretation of when and for what to use it is a dicey issue. The majority of Malaysian on the streets are not bothered by this law, some dont even know what it is and couldnt be bothered, it is those who thread on the thin ice who are worried because one day they will be next if they are not carefull. So, do not play with fire if you dont want to get burnt!