China 'will not have democracy'

Any comments on undemocratic country?

BBC News report:

China will never adopt Western-style democracy with a multi-party system, its top legislator has said.

Parliament chief Wu Bangguo said that China would draw on the achievements of all cultures but would not "simply copy" the West.

Communist Party leadership should be strengthened and "the correct political orientation" maintained, he said.

Mr Wu made the comments in a speech to the National People's Congress, China's annual parliament session.

He ranks second only to President Hu Jintao in the Communist Party hierarchy.

"We must draw on the achievements of all cultures," he told delegates in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

"But we will never simply copy the system of Western countries or introduce a system of multiple parties holding office in rotation," he added.

"Although China's state organs have different responsibilities, they all adhere to the line, principles and policies of the Party."

Correspondents say Mr Wu's statement appeared to be a deliberate rejection of calls in China and abroad for greater liberalisation.

China faces a number of highly sensitive anniversaries this year, including 20 years since the military crushed pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square, and 50 years since an anti-China uprising in Lhasa that sparked the Dalai Lama's flight into exile.

The authorities in Beijing also fear that the economic downturn and job losses for millions of migrant workers could trigger outbreaks of social unrest.

Malaysian Politics, Perak Drama and World Economics

I'm not a politician nor an economist or an analyst. Lets analyze the topics that I am going to share:

Malaysian Politics
Although I am not really that old (in the thirties), the experiences and events that I been through, makes me sicks. To me, who ever the government is, it is the same. All political parties have their own agenda. And I believe that it is also the same throughout the world. We can see this guy trying to bomb that guy so that he can get oils and reconstruction projects etc. And we can see this guy is helping this particular industry because he owns a lots of shares in this company. And we can see big corporation sponsoring the election campaign so that if they won they will win projects so on and so forth. But is this wrong?

What if the one that you vote for doesn't benefits you? or What if they claims that they are clean government and will practice transparencies on all projects given all play dirty? Who knows? The point here is that, does anyone really believe there is clean governments in this world?

HOPE is the answer. Please name one president or prime minister or government which/who do not have scandal or speculation in the modern day. I bet you can't name one.....The community and the people are getting smarter and smarter to analyze what is right and what is wrong. What is fine and what is overdoing. Lets zoom in to why the people is getting smarter? Every year, the governments and parents will always wanted to get the best education package for their children and budget approved that costs thousands,millions or billions has been deployed. The kids are getting computers, gadgets etc to communicate, learn, and explore the world by clicking the mouse. How do you expect the younger generation people not getting smarter? What happen if your kid ask you something that you don't know? What is your answer to your kids? I wonder? The same scenario happen to Malaysia, the people are getting smarter and the government brains are stagnant. If that happens, the people will try to outsmart the government. I wonder whether Tingkat 4 has a computer or not? Does our prime minister carry a laptop? or Does he know what a mouse is? or Does he knows how to surf the world wide web? Not to worry! the previous white house boss also not that good in information technology. At least that now we can see Mr. Obama carrying a blackberry. The government has to grow or getting smarter than the people or else a paradigm shift will happen sooner that expected.

Even our famous Tun knows how to blog and this old man(with all respect) is still learning at this age.

Lets look back at the political scenario in Perak. The event of hopping here and there in Perak and the change of hand of the state government happened recently, makes all Malaysian sicks. People are sick of someone not repecting the Sultan, people are sick of people been hijack and people are sick of those speculated kidnapping story. The question here is that WHO are the people who determine who to run the government? Who will repect the new state government after such a coward way to topple the previous state government? Each quarter is criticising each another for wrong doing, not gentlemen enough to fight and so on. Can you blame those people holding an assembly under the tree? Why they were denied to access the state government building and what rights the police has to stop them? What law does they apply and please come forward to explain to our fellow Malaysian.

Shameful is the right word. Shameful for holding an assembly under the tree? NO. It is shameful that they were force to do it under the tree.

World Economics is getting from bad to worse. Reason? We are still running the same way we are running the economic from the start. The financial system still the same from day one till now. It is proven that the system is outdated and should change. As I mentioned a lot of times before I wrote this, the banks will only lend to the rich and what will happen to the poor? Getting poorer and strugling and suffering as a result. Then, the banks will make hefty profit from credit cards interest, refinancing of mortgages and so on. The profits will go to their share holders. Ever seen a bank lower their interest to make marginal profits to help people? The answer is No. And have you ever seen a bank use their profits to share with the people? The answer is NO. What happen now is the government to pumping in the money to these banks because they are strugling. WHOSE money do the government use to pump in the money? TAX PAYER!!!! Ha ha ha. Does that make any sense???? Why should we help the BANKS? And now, after the government pump in the money to the bank, what did the bank do? Keep the money...The people in US is complaining that the bank lending is getting more rigid. What helps does the bank offer when they received the stimulus package? The answer is NOTHING!!

Mr. Obama and his team have to really think hard to reconstruct the world economy. The text book in the library won't help them. Those are outdated policies (monetary and fiscal policies). They should come out with a bold and daring move to help the economy.

'Perak Assembly' calls for dissolution, polls

I don't know whether this is a history or not. An assembly under a tree. If they manage to dissolve the state assembly, my proposal to the Perak government to classified this tree as a heritage/historical tree to be remembered. I wonder whether there is any kuih muih, teh tarik, nasi lemak ,roti cania served or not? Fantastic!!! and it is a truely Malaysia thing.

The Star reports:

IPOH: The emergency sitting of the Perak State Assembly passed three motions Tuesday, including one calling for the dissolution of the assembly to pave the way for fresh state elections.

The sitting was held under a tree in a vacant lot about 200m from the state secretariat building after Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen were barred from entering the building, under what former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has described as the “doctrine of necessity.”

Nizar said three motions were passed: First, a motion of confidence in himself as the legal Perak mentri besar; second, an agreement to seek Royal consent for the dissolution of the state assembly; and third, the adoption of the suspension of Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and six executive councillors he appointed.

The first motion was proposed by Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang while the second was proposed by Titi Serong assemblyman Dr Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah. All three motions were agreed to unanimously by the Pakatan assemblymen who attended the sitting.

The emergency sitting was called by State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar, saying he was invoking Standing Orders 8 and 11 so that the assembly could vote on two motions.

Dr Zambry had earlier described the emergency sitting as “invalid and unlawful” because it had not received the consent of Sultan Azlan Shah.

“He (Sivakumar) has used his powers unfairly to achieve his own political agenda and he had ridiculed the proceedings of the House,” he said.

Pakatan lawyers say the Ruler’s consent was only needed to summon a sitting by way of royal proclamation if the assembly had been dissolved or prorogued (adjourned by royal prerogative). But because the last sitting was adjourned, the assembly could carry on its usual business in an emergency session.

Push and shove
Police and Federal Reserve Unit personnel had set up roadblocks and barred the main entrance of the state secretariat building early Tuesday morning in an attempt to block the proceedings.

The building houses the offices of the mentri besar, state secretary and the state legislative assembly.

Supporters of both Pakatan and Barisan Nasional had initially gathered peacefully, but when the Pakatan assemblymen, led by Nizar, arrived at about 9:45am, Barisan supporters lined up to deny them entry.

There was some pushing and shoving. Ipoh OCPD ACP Azisman Alias issued a warning that anyone, including elected representatives, who refused to disperse would be arrested.

Police told Nizar and the assemblymen that they were not allowed in, but said Sivakumar could enter. Instead, the Speaker declined and attired in his official garb, convened the emergency sitting in the vacant lot nearby.

Snap polls
Pakatan, which took over the state after the 12th general election last March, has been trying to call for new state elections after it begin to see its rule slipping away earlier this year.

The crisis began on Jan 25 when Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim resigned from Umno to join Pakatan component party PKR, which led to rumours of many more cross-overs to and from both sides of the political divide.

The crisis deepened after Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Changkat Jering assemblyman Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu, both from PKR and both facing corruption charges, went “missing” for a few days, only to resurface after a few days to announce they were quitting their party.

At the same time, Jelapang assemblyman Hee Yit Foong announced she was quitting DAP, another Pakatan component party.

All three declared they would remain independent but pledged their support for Barisan.

At the time, Sivakumar said that he had received letters from the three reps saying they were also vacating their seats, but the Election Commission decided that the resignation letters were not valid as they were undated and that there was no need for by-elections in their constituencies.

To add salt to Pakatan’s wound, Nasarudin announced he was switching back to Umno after fewer than 10 days as a PKR man.

With that, both Barisan and Pakatan held 28 seats each in the state assembly, but the three independents’ pledge of support to Barisan tipped the balance enough for Sultan Azlan Shah to declare Barisan as having the support of the majority and he refused Nizar’s request for the state assembly to be dissolved and snap elections be called.

Court battles The tussle will also play out in the courts, with Nizar having filed an application for a judicial review to challenge the legitimacy of Dr Zambry as Perak mentri besar.

The case will be heard on Tuesday before High Court (Special Powers and Appellate) Court judge Lau Bee Lan, six days after Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof recused himself from hearing the suit.

In his application for a judicial review, Nizar is seeking an interpretation of the Perak state constitution on whether the mentri besar’s post can be vacated in a situation whereby:

* THE mentri besar had advised the ruler on the dissolution of the state legislative assembly; * THERE is no dissolution of the assembly; * THERE was no motion of confidence performed against him at the state legislative assembly; * THERE was no resignation made by him.

He is also seeking a declaration that he is the legal mentri besar of Perak and asking for an injunction to stop Zambry from carrying out the duties and functions of the mentri besar; and also punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages and costs.

On Monday, Perak executive councillor Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid served an originating summons on behalf of the three independent reps -- Jamaluddin, Mohd Osman and Hee -- seeking a court declaration that they were still elected representatives of their constituencies.

The three were challenging the Speaker’s decision that they had resigned and that their seats were vacant. This case will be heard on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Dr Zambry has sought a court declaration to make illegal Sivakumar’s suspension of him and his six exco members. This case will also be heard on Tuesday morning.

Dr Zambry said he was seeking a declaration that Sivakumar’s decision was unconstitutional and ultra vires the state constitution.

He sought declarations that he and his exco members had the right to attend sittings and that the House was not to be bound by any rules by, or instructions from, the Speaker.

Photo gallery:
Perak emergency sitting

Previous blow-by-blow report:

(11.20am) Nizar to seek audience with Sultan Azlan Shah to ask for dissolution of Perak state assembly as soon as the documents from Tuesday’s emergency sitting under a tree in a vacant lot is completed.

(11.15am) Nizar says three motions were passed during the Emergency sitting on Tuesday - motion of confidence on himself as the legal Perak MB; agreement to seek Royal consent for dissolution of state assembly; and the adoption of the suspension of MB Zambry Abdul Kadir and his Excos by the Rights and Privileges Committee.

(10:40am) At the High Court, Sivakumar’s lawyers withdraw from the case after Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim rules that private lawyers have no locus standi and cannot represent the Speaker.

Ridwan says that under the Government Proceedings Act, the Speaker can only be represented by the state legal advisor, or lawyers appointed by the latter, because he is part of the state government.

Sivakumar’s lead counsel, constitutional expert Tommy Thomas, says they will await further instructions from the Speaker. He said they were refused speaking rights under Ridwan’s ruling.

(10:35am) Nizar proposes that the emergency sitting of the assembly be adjourned. Sivakumar adjourns.

(10:25am) Titi Serong rep Dr Khalil Idham says Nizar is the rightful mentri besar and wants him to continue. Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh says that Pakatan has ruled the state well since taking over last March.

Teja rep Chang Lih Kang proposes a motion asking for the dissolution of the state assembly to call for a new election.

Both motions are agreed to by all Pakatan reps.

(10:20am) After “doa selamat” prayers, the meeting commences with the hearing of the first motion from Titi Serong assemblyman Dr Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah.

He says the trust and support have been given to Nizar as mentri besar. Sivakumar asks for the motion to be debated.

(10:15am) Although allowed entry into the state secretariat building, Sivakumar did not go in. Attired in the official garb of the Speaker, he declares a vacant lot about 200m from the building as the venue for the emergency sitting.

(10:05am) Nizar gets into his car. Discussions going on between PAS, PKR and DAP assemblymen and Members of Parliament (MPs) on their next course of action. One MP is in the car with Nizar.

They are expected to head towards the DAP state headquarters where they might hold a press conference.

(10:00am) Pakatan assemblymen and Nizar not allowed into building, but police allow Sivakumar to enter. A policeman says, “YB tidak boleh masuk (Yang Berhormat is not allowed in).”

Pakatan supporters make a protective ring around their assemblymen so that they will not be chased away. Assemblymen start moving away however.

(9:45am) At the High Court, lead counsels for both sides are briefing the judge in chambers. They emerge from chambers at 10:17am to brief their legal teams.

(9:40am) Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen, including former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, arrive at state secretariat building for emergency sitting of Assembly called by Sivakumar to vote on two motions related to the constitutional crisis in Perak.

Barisan Nasional supporters have lined up to prevent them from entering. Some pushing and shoving going on.

(9:00am) Federal Reserve Unit personnel have been deployed in front of state secretariat building, at least seven trucks being used to block main entrance. Police had already set up roadblocks on roads leading to the building earlier this morning.

A small crowd has gathered, comprising party members, lawyers, supporters and many members of the media.

(8:45am) Lawyers from both sides start arriving at Ipoh High Court in preparation for hearing of lawsuit filed by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir against State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar.

Dr Zambry is seeking a court declaration that Sivakumar’s suspension of Dr Zambry and his six excos from the state assembly is unconstitutional.

Toll hike deferred till end of the year

This is how Malaysia works. Another Flip Flop approach. Why can't they just differ it yesterday and have to wait untill today to made the announcement.

Maybe:
1. They want us to be anxious for a day?
2. They want to prove to us that they are helping? So announce the increase first and differ later, so everyone things that they are so gooooood.
3. They have a communication problem internally.
4. They think with their backside.

Up to you to pick an excuse above..........

The Star reports :

PUTRAJAYA: The proposed toll increase for five highways effective from Sunday has been deferred till the end of the year.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed said the decision was reached at the Cabinet meeting on Friday following negative public reaction the hike and the current economic situation.

On Thursday. Mohd Zin announced that road users would have to pay a higher toll when using the North-South Expressway (PLUS), the Sprint/Kerinchi/Damansara Link highways, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Expressway (AKLEH), Sungai Besi Highway and the New Pantai Expressway (NPE).

For the PLUS highway, it was a 5% increase. This meant that toll charges from Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah to Kempas in Johor would increase from RM108 to RM113.40.

A trip from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh would increase from RM26.50 to RM27.90.

For the Sprint/Kerinchi/Damansara Link highways, it was an increase of between 30sen and 50sen.

The Sungai Besi Highway was to see an increase of 10sen, while the AKLEH and NPE were to be increased by 50sen and 40sen respectively.

Mohd Zin had said the increase was minimal and hoped the public understood that the increase was stipulated in the concession agreements that the Government had signed.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, however, urged for the decision to increase the toll rates to be reconsidered.

He said the matter will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting Friday, which will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“People are having difficulties. The situation is not right for a toll hike. I feel that this matter needs to be discussed again in the Cabinet.

”The decision may come in the form of measures that will included in the second stimulus package or through some other measures,” he had said in Pattaya, where he was attending the Asean Defence Minister’s Meeting.

Umno Youth angrily mobs Karpal in Parliament

I had a good laugh when a read about this news. I didn't know that our countrymen (no matter what skin color they are) still so uncivilized. Perhaps, I wonder why they are so free to demonstrate? Are they being paid to demonstrate? Are they unemployed? or They took time off from their boss.,or They took leave? or even worse they sneak out from work without their bosses knowledge? Maybe they thought that by demonstrating they will have a better live. Or by doing this they felt great. Hmmmmmmm...maybe maybe.

NST reported :

7:07pm UPDATE: DAP chairman and MP for Bukit Gelugor Karpal Singh was confronted by a group of Selangor Umno Youth members at the Parliament tower block this afternoon but this soon culminated in a shouting match and a scuffle that led MP for Segambut Lim Lip Eng to having his shirt tugged.

The group had been waiting at the parliament tower for Karpal and as soon as he arrived they surrounded him and started heckling him over his warning to Pemuda Umno yesterday.

He accused Umno Youth of having sent him two bullets while debating the Royal Address.

"Where did the celaka Pemuda Umno fellows get the bullets?" he had asked while pronouncing himself not afraid.

The drama started when Karpal was confronted by the 22-member group comprising Selangor Umno Youth members as the MP was making his way into the parliament's tower block at 2.45pm.
The group had been waiting for Karpal since 1.30pm.Noticing the veteran politician, the group surrounded the wheelchair-bound Karpal and demanded that he apologise for remarks made against Umno Youth in the House on yesterday.

However, Karpal refused to recant his allegation that the wing had sent bullets in the mail to him recently, as well as using the term “celaka” (damn) to berate the movement.

Pakatan Rakyat MPs - Fong Kui Loon (DAP-Bukit Bintang), N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), who just came back from lunch, went to Karpal’s aid after being informed by parliament staff of the incident.

They claimed they were roughed up by the mob, with their bodies pushed and shoved by several Umno members. "One even pulled my tie. At one point, I nearly fell into the fountain," Lim claimed.

However, the trio manage to wheel Karpal into the House, while the Umno Youth group continued to heckle and shout at them.

Moments later, Liew Chin Tong (DAP-Bukit Bendera) tried to cool down the situation but he was greeted by more shouts.

"Who are you? Go away," shouted several members of the mob.
.
Karpal's son, Gobind Singh (DAP-Puchong), who sprinted to his father's aid, traded verbal blows with the group. At one point, Gobind and a member of the mob had to be restrained by their respective members to prevent fisticuffs.

The situation improved after BN Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chief Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing appeared and urged the group to disperse.

"Please go back and respect the House. We can't have such incidents happening here," he told them.

Gombak Umno Youth chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who was part of the mob, told reporters that they are Umno members “willing to die defending the party.”

"He (Karpal) must stop insulting the Rulers and the Malays," he said. “Our patience is running out.”

Karpal immediately took up the matter in Chambers and demanded to know how the group made it into the compound.

"What security is the House providing?" he asked speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who promised to investigate and assured members that everything was done to protect them.

"I am disabled but not intimidated by this. The police were there and they just watched," Karpal claimed.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said not agreeing with Karpal was not an excuse to get physical with him. "We must come up with a ruling that all parliamentarians must be protected," he said.

Later, at a Press conference at the Parliament lobby, Karpal remained defiant despite the scare. “I maybe in a wheelchair but I will not be cowed or intimidated by anyone,” the MP dubbed the Tiger of Jelutong said.

The Press conference was also attended by Pakatan Rakyat leaders and members. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP parliamentary leader, Lim Kit Siang were at Karpal's side.

The MP for Bukit Gelugor also declared he would not apologise for the terms he had used while debating the Royal Address yesterday.

“There is no question of apology," he said. "They abused and threatened me and insisted I apologise. I said that was out and told them back off. They were becoming menacing and they looked like they were ready to hit me."

Karpal likened the group antics as to that of brazen gangsters. “As an MP, I have duties which I will carry out without fear,” he said.

Karpal also criticised parliament security. “Each time we start the sitting, there is a motion by the Home Minister to ensure that members have safe passage to parliament and are safe from any disturbances while here. How could they allow them to enter the parliament compound? Where is the security?” he asked.

Despite the incident, Karpal did not lose his sense of humour. “Singh is King. I should be paid royalty for promoting the movie (the Bollywood movie). I will share the royalty with you all (looking at the press),” he quipped.

Karpal had twice referred to the title of the movie in passing as a way of reinforcing his credentials as a fearless man.

Opposition leader, Anwar said he was disappointed with the uncultured behaviour of the Umno Youth members. “I demand fast action from the authorities that MPs are safe and their security assured,” he said.

Lim said this was the first time the Parliament history that such an incident had occurred. “It is shameful and outrageous. It is in violation of parliament sanctity. This shows how ugly Malaysian politics have become,” he said.

Lim called on Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to publicly apologise for this outrage.