Monday, July 21, 2008
Hancock The Movie
Sorry to say... I don't know. It was interesting but I definitely really enjoyed only for the first half. The rest, I'm still ambivalent about.
I really loved the different take on the whole superhero genre, I thought Will Smith was excellent, I thought the humor was well-balanced with Hancock's pathos, etc. The second half
of the film, however, after the "twist?" I'm not sure. It didn't ruin the film for me. I feel like the director didn't know what to do with the plot and halfway through. I also felt that the final scenes in the the hospital would have been a better followed up by a less sappy denoument, because they were fairly intense scenes that wound up culminating in something pretty sacchrine, which was a little disappointing.
Review : Hancock Movie.
The city of Los Angeles finds itself protected by an honest-to-god super hero with the unlikely name of John Hancock. Unfortunately, this hero causes more damage to the city than he prevents due to the extreme lack of due-diligence expressed during his slapdash crime fighting activities. One day Hancock saves a mild mannered PR consultant named Ray. In return Ray uses all the tricks of his trade to redeem Hancock’s image in the eyes of the public, over the objections of Hancock himself (who sees little reason to change) and Ray’s increasingly skeptical wife.
From the preceding description (and from the trailer), you may be forgiven for thinking Hancock was another action-comedy comic book spoof. Already you are probably predicting how the hero will try to change his ways, failing at first but learning from his mistakes - eventually overcoming both his own uncertainty and whatever evil villain threatens the city in the third act, helped alone the way by the unwavering trust of a small child. Hancock contains all these elements, but manages to avoid slipping into cliché by having the plot take a major left turn about a third of the way in.
To say more would spoil it, but suffice to say that Hancock manages to become a more interesting movie. I won’t say Hancock is an instant classic - it still has problems, but there are plenty of worse films you could waste your money on.
Wanted The Movie ... Angelina Jolie
There is only one real reason to watch this movie.... The action sequences are one of the best ever. Well... Wanted turned out to be exactly what I was hoping I would get. There are awesomely absurd action sequences in this film that I was giddy. Very fun ride that I enjoyed greatly. 4/5 stars.
“Wanted” is a supremely odd summer blockbuster, a hyper-violent juvenile fantasy made kick-ass by Red Bull filmmaking and two hot leading actors. Much has been made in the press of the spectacle put forth in Russian director Timur Bekmambetov’s adaptation of Mark Millar’s comic book series.
Scottish actor, James McAvoy stars as Wesley Gibson (WES), a Chicago office accountant and anxiety pill addict. This guy is such a spineless loser that when his girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend, Wesley buys the condoms.
But these days are over when Fox, a lady assassin that looks just like (and is incidentally portrayed by) Angelina Jolie shows up, liberating him from the shackles of a mundane existence in a shower of bullets and physics-defying car stunts.
Wesley, it turns out, is the son of a legendary assassin, and is a legacy acceptance into a guild of super powered killers, appropriately titled the Fraternity. Turns out those anxiety attacks were just the result of him not being able to exercise his powers properly, but now he has learned that he can charge himself up to a point where time is virtually at his command and shells can be made to travel at unbelievable angles.
The Fraternity is lead by Sloan, played by a Morgan Freeman who appears to be having a great time and remodeling his kitchen. They don’t just knock people off at random; they select targets destined to cause great suffering in the world, which caused me to wonder what sort of politicians we’ve missed out on courtesy of them.
The next few weeks for Wesley are sort of like a fantasy camp for males aged 11-65. He learns how to fistfight, knife fight, gunfight, and gets to drill Bradgelina’s feminine half.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the film toned down the comic’s bitterness and relentlessly hateful edge; the original Wesley becomes a super-villain who butchers civilians at random and rapes A-list movie stars. This film follows the much more audience friendly assumption that when relieved of conventional law and restraint, people will enjoy dispensing pain to the deserving but will spare the sheep. Not to mention the film pushes the boundaries of the R-rating as it is.
On the casting front, I can only say that I hope this film has given McAvoy, a charismatic and talented young actor, the exposure he needs to become a favorite among audiences. Striking yet with an everyman quality that can serve well in countless roles, I’d cast the guy in a second if I were in charge of a big film.
But I’d be lying if I said the most notable performance wasn’t Jolie’s, who in “Wanted” finally finds a part that justifies the non-stop media salivation around her every menstrual cycle. As Fox, she’s a delightful presence to behold, a pistol-packing vixen whose mysterious, angular charm entices and then seduces Wesley into a life of bloody murder. Here’s hoping that Jolie saves the serious stuff for her forties and hits the action films hard for the next few years.
There’s a lot that could have gone wrong here. At the core is a story about a regular guy who becomes a relentless killer, unfolding in a manner relatively devoid of restraint, but the filmmakers pull it off. Certain facets don’t function perfectly, such as the opening five minutes or the explanation of the Fraternity’s magic textile machine (don’t ask, watch), but I found myself taken in, compelled at what would come next.
Bekmambetov infuses the action with heavy doses of slow-mo and blood-splattering gooeyness, with bullets colliding in mid-air and tumbling through the skulls of their unfortunate targets. A smash hit filmmaker in Russia, Bekmambetov has a future as a big shot Hollywood director, his inventive staging and visceral yet unapologetically quirky style certain to fill a niche for those of us who don’t mind our action served flaming hot.
Director : Timur Bekmambetov
Scenarist : Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Chris Morgan
Actor And Actress:
James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Common, Kristen Hager, Konstantin Khabensky, Terence Stamp
Production : Universal Pictures
Website :http://www.wantedmovie.com/
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Anwar refused to give a sample for a DNA test
Anwar refused to give a sample for a DNA test
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was arrested by the police, refused to give a sample for a DNA test when he was brought to Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
His lawyer R. Sivarasa said that police requested for a full medical examination at the hospital but only a minimal one was done.
“I can confirm no DNA was taken. At this stage, we are not prepared to agree to that,” Sivarasa told reporters.
Anwar was brought to the hospital after his statement was taken yesterday afternoon.
He was arrested at 1pm just outside his house in Segambut Dalam.
His lawyer Sankara Nair said Anwar, who had finished his appointment with the Anti-Corruption Agency in Putrajaya in the morning, was heading home to refresh himself and say goodbye to his family before going to the police headquarters.
“But as we neared Anwar’s house, we were stopped by policemen and members of
the Special Ops Units (UTK) wearing balaclavas,” he told a press conference in the afternoon.
“At 11.20am, we told the ACA we had to stop. The officer was reluctant and wanted to finish everything off but we said we had to meet the police,” he added.
Sankara said Anwar had no intention of skipping his meeting with the police.
“We promised the ACA we would return on Monday,” he said.
Sankara said that at around 12.45pm, he received a call from the police asking if Anwar would be present at the station later, to which Sankara said yes.
“But a few minutes later, he was arrested,” he said.
Anwar, together with his driver, were in the car with Sankara and his other counsel R. Sivarasa at the time. Sankara said one Supt Taufek, who was in uniform, made the arrest under Section 377C of the Penal Code, although no warrant was produced.
The section is for the offence of carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent.
The lawyer confirmed that the police did not use weapons or handcuff Anwar during the arrest.
Sankara said he was disappointed with the police for arresting Anwar when they had given him a 2pm deadline.
Sankara, who left the police station at 6pm. said Sivarasa stayed on to advise Anwar, as police allowed only one counsel to be present.
He said there was nothing much the lawyers could do for Anwar at this point in time.
Police can detain him for 24 hours before requesting a remand order from the magistrate for a maximum period of 14 days.
“All we can do at this stage is to argue our case with the magistrate on why the remand should not be granted,” he said.
About 11.15pm yesterday, PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin addressed the crowd which had gathered outside the police headquarters and told them that Anwar would be held overnight.
He also urged the crowd, which held a candlelight vigil, to remain calm.
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was arrested by the police, refused to give a sample for a DNA test when he was brought to Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
His lawyer R. Sivarasa said that police requested for a full medical examination at the hospital but only a minimal one was done.
“I can confirm no DNA was taken. At this stage, we are not prepared to agree to that,” Sivarasa told reporters.
Anwar was brought to the hospital after his statement was taken yesterday afternoon.
He was arrested at 1pm just outside his house in Segambut Dalam.
His lawyer Sankara Nair said Anwar, who had finished his appointment with the Anti-Corruption Agency in Putrajaya in the morning, was heading home to refresh himself and say goodbye to his family before going to the police headquarters.
“But as we neared Anwar’s house, we were stopped by policemen and members of
the Special Ops Units (UTK) wearing balaclavas,” he told a press conference in the afternoon.
“At 11.20am, we told the ACA we had to stop. The officer was reluctant and wanted to finish everything off but we said we had to meet the police,” he added.
Sankara said Anwar had no intention of skipping his meeting with the police.
“We promised the ACA we would return on Monday,” he said.
Sankara said that at around 12.45pm, he received a call from the police asking if Anwar would be present at the station later, to which Sankara said yes.
“But a few minutes later, he was arrested,” he said.
Anwar, together with his driver, were in the car with Sankara and his other counsel R. Sivarasa at the time. Sankara said one Supt Taufek, who was in uniform, made the arrest under Section 377C of the Penal Code, although no warrant was produced.
The section is for the offence of carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent.
The lawyer confirmed that the police did not use weapons or handcuff Anwar during the arrest.
Sankara said he was disappointed with the police for arresting Anwar when they had given him a 2pm deadline.
Sankara, who left the police station at 6pm. said Sivarasa stayed on to advise Anwar, as police allowed only one counsel to be present.
He said there was nothing much the lawyers could do for Anwar at this point in time.
Police can detain him for 24 hours before requesting a remand order from the magistrate for a maximum period of 14 days.
“All we can do at this stage is to argue our case with the magistrate on why the remand should not be granted,” he said.
About 11.15pm yesterday, PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin addressed the crowd which had gathered outside the police headquarters and told them that Anwar would be held overnight.
He also urged the crowd, which held a candlelight vigil, to remain calm.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Update : Police arrest Anwar Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at the city police headquarters here at 1.15pm in a white Pajero after being arrested by the police.
His lawyer Sankara Nair said Anwar was arrested by the police near his house and taken to the police headquarters.
His wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Anwar called her from the police car and asked her to go home to look after the children.
The police had on Tuesday given Anwar a 2pm deadline to answer allegations of sodomy.
Anwar was at the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) headquarters in Putrajaya earlier Wednesday. He left the ACA headquarters at 12.10pm, saying he was satisfied with the ACA's line of questioning.
He said the ACA had not completed its interview, but he had to cut it short to make his 2pm appointment with the police to answer questions over the sodomy allegation made against him.
The former deputy prime minister said he had produced all the information required, but there just wasn't enough time.
"If I am arrested, I guess the ACA can do their follow-up interview at the lock-up," the de facto opposition leader joked.
Anwar had arrived at the ACA headquarters at about 10am over the reports he had lodged against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General (A-G).
He was accompanied by his lawyers and a group of PKR supporters.
In his report lodged on July 1, Anwar had alleged that IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan and A-G Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail had fabricated evidence in the black eye?investigation in 1999.
Musa was the investigating officer and Abdul Gani led the prosecution in the case in which Anwar had been beaten up by the IGP then, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor.
Musa and Abdul Gani were questioned by the ACA on July 11.
On June 28, his 23-year-old former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had lodged a police report alleging that Anwar had sodomised him.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story ... 1744&sec=nation
Semalam cakap sampai pukul 2...
His lawyer Sankara Nair said Anwar was arrested by the police near his house and taken to the police headquarters.
His wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Anwar called her from the police car and asked her to go home to look after the children.
The police had on Tuesday given Anwar a 2pm deadline to answer allegations of sodomy.
Anwar was at the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) headquarters in Putrajaya earlier Wednesday. He left the ACA headquarters at 12.10pm, saying he was satisfied with the ACA's line of questioning.
He said the ACA had not completed its interview, but he had to cut it short to make his 2pm appointment with the police to answer questions over the sodomy allegation made against him.
The former deputy prime minister said he had produced all the information required, but there just wasn't enough time.
"If I am arrested, I guess the ACA can do their follow-up interview at the lock-up," the de facto opposition leader joked.
Anwar had arrived at the ACA headquarters at about 10am over the reports he had lodged against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General (A-G).
He was accompanied by his lawyers and a group of PKR supporters.
In his report lodged on July 1, Anwar had alleged that IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan and A-G Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail had fabricated evidence in the black eye?investigation in 1999.
Musa was the investigating officer and Abdul Gani led the prosecution in the case in which Anwar had been beaten up by the IGP then, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor.
Musa and Abdul Gani were questioned by the ACA on July 11.
On June 28, his 23-year-old former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had lodged a police report alleging that Anwar had sodomised him.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story ... 1744&sec=nation
Semalam cakap sampai pukul 2...
Miss Universe 2008, Pics Miss USA Fall Down
Crystle Stewart, Miss USA, falls down during the evening gowns segment of the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
For the second year in a row, Miss USA fell down during the evening gown competition at the Miss Universe pageant. It was a nightmare come true for Miss USA Crystle Stewart, a Texan, who tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown as she made her entrance.
During the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on You Tube, where the video was shown over and over again. Like Smith, Stewart quickly stood up after her fall and continued on as if nothing had happened. Stewart, 26, is a motivational speaker who is working on a book called Waiting to Win.
Her mishap occurred just after the judges had narrowed the field of 80 to the final 10: Miss USA, Miss Kosovo, Miss Australia, Miss Spain, Miss Mexico, Miss Colombia, Miss USA, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Russia, Miss Italy and Miss Venezuela.
For the second year in a row, Miss USA fell down during the evening gown competition at the Miss Universe pageant. It was a nightmare come true for Miss USA Crystle Stewart, a Texan, who tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown as she made her entrance.
During the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on You Tube, where the video was shown over and over again. Like Smith, Stewart quickly stood up after her fall and continued on as if nothing had happened. Stewart, 26, is a motivational speaker who is working on a book called Waiting to Win.
Her mishap occurred just after the judges had narrowed the field of 80 to the final 10: Miss USA, Miss Kosovo, Miss Australia, Miss Spain, Miss Mexico, Miss Colombia, Miss USA, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Russia, Miss Italy and Miss Venezuela.
Video Debate Datuk Seri Anwar vs Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Shabery Cheek vs Anwar Ibrahim debate on Fuel Price last night. (9pm - 10pm Astro Awani and TV9 - Hari Ini Bentuk Kerajaan, Esok Turun Harga Minyak - Today Form Government, Tomorrow Reduce Fuel Price)
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 1
More Video click read more.....
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 2
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 3
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 4
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 5
This article i found in internet about this debate... click source BONGKERSZ
Update 1: Astro Awani is carrying out the analysis on the debate. Very interesting. As usual they called up some ministers from both sides - Pakatan Rakyat and BN to get their comments on the debate. BN ministers never fail to amuse me, it is damn obvious the Information Minister has nothing, zilch facts when debating but still arrogantly said ‘Anwar Ibrahim has no facts, only rethorics’. Ha! Ha! Ha! You be the judge, please watch the debate video when it is out in the internet. I believe a video with complete subtitle will be out soon. Stay tune for that
My lousy 2 cents on Shabery Cheek vs Anwar Ibrahim debate on Fuel Price just now. (9pm - 10pm Astro Awani and TV9 - Hari Ini Bentuk Kerajaan, Esok Turun Harga Minyak - Today Form Government, Tomorrow Reduce Fuel Price)
Shabery Cheek obviously a lousy debater. He was often beating around the bushes and not to the points or questions raised. He was too emotional in making his points and focused too much on attacking Anwar Ibrahim’s past rather than debunking the points raised by him.
1. When talking about why Anwar insists to pursue his ambition to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia in order to reduce the fuel price and why can’t it be done with him outside the government.
Anwar chuckled and said that was why he was there for the debate and added that he is currently not in the govennment and his future is still uncertain but he felt compelled to make his points in this debate. Anwar openly said he and Pakatan Rakyat has no problem if the current government take into consideration his idea and implements it for the good of the people, and Pakatan Rakyat will support the good move and work with the government. The only question is whether the current government is willing to work with this idea? Will BN/UMNO listen and carry it out.
Shabery Cheek, while he supposed to answer that question (we would think an honest and good government that put the people’s interest will surely consider any good idea that will benefit the people), instead attacked Anwar - relating his past with Tun Razak and Mahathir and went on his ’syok sendiri’ (self ego masturbation) mode on how Petronas under BN/UMNO rule is the best, how people can never deny that it is BN that efficiently manages the petroleum company. Typical BN/UMNO ’syok sendiri’ and out of reality talk. How ridiculous!
2. Anwar explained in simple term how savings can be done from revising the lop sided agreements between the government/TNB and Independent Power Providers (IPPs), savings from corruption and wastages, then lastly using some profits from the increased revenue of Petronas to help reduce the burden of the people. His point is actually very simple - we need a good, wise and prudent management of government resources and efficient econonomy planning. He was entirely right when he focused his point on poor management of the country resources and wastages and trained his gun on the real cause of this whole issue - the government! The main issue is accountability and transparency of the government! Not Petronas, unlike the clueless Information Minister keep harping on!
But Shabery Cheek keep harping on why we should not use Petronas money to reduce the fuel price, comparing Venezuela, Iran and Saudi Arabia low fuel price but high inflation rate!! The guy just totally disillusioned and like I said was in his own ’syok sendiri’ mode. To the point bro, Anwar already made a concrete stand when he said he supports Petronas and will not irresponsibly use Petronas as cash cow to solve the problem. As usual, Shabery just continued the often repeated, recycled points used by the government to justify the fuel price increase - it is a global issue, it is global issue, it is a global issue and it is a global issue. Yes that is all his points. Oh he had more points, mostly points on Anwar’s past, keep digging the dirts. Typical BN style, always resort to personal attacks when you are out of ideas. Any BN guys that can debate rationally?? Please?? Or their supporters???
3. Nordin Kardi, being a Vice Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) just made a fool of himself when he questioned Anwar’s points on IPP agreement revision when the topic was on fuel. Then he mentioned something on why Anwar chose to talk on fuel price, saying he was fishing for popularity. Hey you dumbass maggot, IPP is subsidized by the government to produce electricity lah!!! They get subsidized diesel to produce electricity and sell it at high price to TNB as agreed in the lop sided agreements signed during Mahathir time. Then this is a debate on fuel price, hence we talked about the price lah!!! Bodoh!! Dungu! Otak kat lutut ke?? Entah macam mana ko boleh jadi Naib Chanselor UUM. Muahahahahahahahaha!
4. It is quite obvious who is the better debater, one that consistently making personal attacks and dishing out many often irrelevant, confusing and meaningless points and another one that kept his cool and explained in clear flow his proposal and future planning if he is given the chance to efficiently manage the country and subsequently reduce the fuel price. Shabery started his debate with personal attacks against Anwar where he brought up the incident when Anwar was still a student leader leading demo against Tun Razak in 1974, in the middle of the debate again brought up the incident, mentioned something about IMF and dragged Anwar’s name in it and lastly concluded his debate again with personal attacks on Anwar Ibrahim and sempat this fella said the government was being generous in allowing the debate. Bah! What a sore loser???
All said, I must commend BN government under Pak Lah for allowing this debate to be carried out. Under the rule of Mahathir this debate is almost impossible to realised. It is a start. We must have an open policy on politics, let the people make their noise heard and decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false. Our political landscape is changing and it is for better, I hope.
Kredit info to BONGKERSZ
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 1
More Video click read more.....
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 2
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 3
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 4
Video Anwar vs Shabery PART 5
This article i found in internet about this debate... click source BONGKERSZ
Update 1: Astro Awani is carrying out the analysis on the debate. Very interesting. As usual they called up some ministers from both sides - Pakatan Rakyat and BN to get their comments on the debate. BN ministers never fail to amuse me, it is damn obvious the Information Minister has nothing, zilch facts when debating but still arrogantly said ‘Anwar Ibrahim has no facts, only rethorics’. Ha! Ha! Ha! You be the judge, please watch the debate video when it is out in the internet. I believe a video with complete subtitle will be out soon. Stay tune for that
My lousy 2 cents on Shabery Cheek vs Anwar Ibrahim debate on Fuel Price just now. (9pm - 10pm Astro Awani and TV9 - Hari Ini Bentuk Kerajaan, Esok Turun Harga Minyak - Today Form Government, Tomorrow Reduce Fuel Price)
Shabery Cheek obviously a lousy debater. He was often beating around the bushes and not to the points or questions raised. He was too emotional in making his points and focused too much on attacking Anwar Ibrahim’s past rather than debunking the points raised by him.
1. When talking about why Anwar insists to pursue his ambition to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia in order to reduce the fuel price and why can’t it be done with him outside the government.
Anwar chuckled and said that was why he was there for the debate and added that he is currently not in the govennment and his future is still uncertain but he felt compelled to make his points in this debate. Anwar openly said he and Pakatan Rakyat has no problem if the current government take into consideration his idea and implements it for the good of the people, and Pakatan Rakyat will support the good move and work with the government. The only question is whether the current government is willing to work with this idea? Will BN/UMNO listen and carry it out.
Shabery Cheek, while he supposed to answer that question (we would think an honest and good government that put the people’s interest will surely consider any good idea that will benefit the people), instead attacked Anwar - relating his past with Tun Razak and Mahathir and went on his ’syok sendiri’ (self ego masturbation) mode on how Petronas under BN/UMNO rule is the best, how people can never deny that it is BN that efficiently manages the petroleum company. Typical BN/UMNO ’syok sendiri’ and out of reality talk. How ridiculous!
2. Anwar explained in simple term how savings can be done from revising the lop sided agreements between the government/TNB and Independent Power Providers (IPPs), savings from corruption and wastages, then lastly using some profits from the increased revenue of Petronas to help reduce the burden of the people. His point is actually very simple - we need a good, wise and prudent management of government resources and efficient econonomy planning. He was entirely right when he focused his point on poor management of the country resources and wastages and trained his gun on the real cause of this whole issue - the government! The main issue is accountability and transparency of the government! Not Petronas, unlike the clueless Information Minister keep harping on!
But Shabery Cheek keep harping on why we should not use Petronas money to reduce the fuel price, comparing Venezuela, Iran and Saudi Arabia low fuel price but high inflation rate!! The guy just totally disillusioned and like I said was in his own ’syok sendiri’ mode. To the point bro, Anwar already made a concrete stand when he said he supports Petronas and will not irresponsibly use Petronas as cash cow to solve the problem. As usual, Shabery just continued the often repeated, recycled points used by the government to justify the fuel price increase - it is a global issue, it is global issue, it is a global issue and it is a global issue. Yes that is all his points. Oh he had more points, mostly points on Anwar’s past, keep digging the dirts. Typical BN style, always resort to personal attacks when you are out of ideas. Any BN guys that can debate rationally?? Please?? Or their supporters???
3. Nordin Kardi, being a Vice Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) just made a fool of himself when he questioned Anwar’s points on IPP agreement revision when the topic was on fuel. Then he mentioned something on why Anwar chose to talk on fuel price, saying he was fishing for popularity. Hey you dumbass maggot, IPP is subsidized by the government to produce electricity lah!!! They get subsidized diesel to produce electricity and sell it at high price to TNB as agreed in the lop sided agreements signed during Mahathir time. Then this is a debate on fuel price, hence we talked about the price lah!!! Bodoh!! Dungu! Otak kat lutut ke?? Entah macam mana ko boleh jadi Naib Chanselor UUM. Muahahahahahahahaha!
4. It is quite obvious who is the better debater, one that consistently making personal attacks and dishing out many often irrelevant, confusing and meaningless points and another one that kept his cool and explained in clear flow his proposal and future planning if he is given the chance to efficiently manage the country and subsequently reduce the fuel price. Shabery started his debate with personal attacks against Anwar where he brought up the incident when Anwar was still a student leader leading demo against Tun Razak in 1974, in the middle of the debate again brought up the incident, mentioned something about IMF and dragged Anwar’s name in it and lastly concluded his debate again with personal attacks on Anwar Ibrahim and sempat this fella said the government was being generous in allowing the debate. Bah! What a sore loser???
All said, I must commend BN government under Pak Lah for allowing this debate to be carried out. Under the rule of Mahathir this debate is almost impossible to realised. It is a start. We must have an open policy on politics, let the people make their noise heard and decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false. Our political landscape is changing and it is for better, I hope.
Kredit info to BONGKERSZ
Monday, July 14, 2008
Debate Anwar Vs Shabery Cheek Tonight 9 pm
A debate on the fuel price increase between Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be
telecast live tomorrow on Bernama TV (Astro channel 502) and TV9.
The one-and-a-half-hour debate, entitled “Hari Ini Membentuk Kerajaan, Esok Turun Harga Minyak” (Today Form the Government, Tomorrow Decrease the Fuel Price) and organised by the news portal, Agenda Daily, will be held at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) starting at 9pm.
DBP chairman Johan Jaaffar, who is also the moderator, said the debate would be held along the lines of the presidential debate in the United States.
“Both debaters will be on stage and will be given five minutes each to make their opening remarks and I will ask them one question each,” he said.
Johan said Anwar dan Ahmad Shabery would also invite their own reporters to ask the questions.
“The reporter invited by Ahmad Shabery will question Anwar and vice versa. I think this way is fair,” he added.
Asked about his preparation for the debate, Johan said that as far as possible he would not interfere with the questions which will be asked by the reporters.
“I will only concentrate on the topic and I don’t know what questions they will ask," he said. — BERNAMA
Jeraul : The Malaysian public will witness the first live debate involving Anwar, as an opposition leader.
So three cheers to the new minister, the same guy who recently decided to give official press passes to online news media for the first time in Malaysia!
Picture Special Ronaldo and Sexy Nereida
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sexy Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza pics
Miss Venezuela wins Miss Universe. Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza was crowned Miss Universe 2008 during the 2008 Miss Universe pageant, hosted by Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown and Jerry Springer, in Nha Trang, Vietnam over the weekend.
Here is some sexy pictures from Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza. She's a gorgeous girls...
Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza Miss Universe 2008
Finally, we have the Miss Universe 2008 Winner and it's no other than Miss Venezuela, Daya Mendoza. Miss of Amazonas....
If you watched the Miss Universe pageant earlier today, then you must know Miss Venezuela will win.
Here's the complete list of winners of Miss Universe 2008 :
Winner of Miss Universe 2008: Miss Venezuela - Daya Mendoza
1st Runner-up: Colombia - Taliana Vargas
2nd Runner-up: Dominican Republic - Marianne Cruz Gonzalez
3rd Runner-up: Russia - Vera Krasova
4th Runner-up: Mexico - Elisa Najera
Miss Congeniality: El Salvador - Rebeca Moreno
Best in National Costume: Thailand - Gavintra Photijak
Miss Universe 2008 Top 10 (In no particular order)
Venezuela - Daya Mendoza
Kosovo - Zana Krasniqi
Mexico - Elisa Najera
Australia - Laura Dundovic
Dominican Republic - Marianne Cruz Gonzalez
Italy - Claudia Ferraris
Colombia - Taliana Vargas
Russia - Vera Krasova
USA - Crystle Stewart
Spain - Clausia Moro
Miss Universe 2008 Top 15 (In no particular order)
Venezuela - Daya Mendoza
Kosovo - Zana Krasniqi
Mexico - Elisa Najera
Vietnam - Lam Thuy Nguyen
South Africa - Tansey Coetzee
Australia - Laura Dundovic
Japan - Hiroko Mima
Dominican Republic - Marianne Cruz Gonzalez
Italy - Claudia Ferraris
Colombia - Taliana Vargas
Russia - Vera Krasova
Hungary - Jazmin Dammak
Czech Republic - Eliska Buckova
USA - Crystle Stewart
Spain - Clausia Moro
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Thousands of illegals living free and wild in Sungai Buloh
• Illegal, but a source of cheap labour
• A mystery to residents too
• From communist haven to nursery centre
Drugs, vice and illegals flood Sungai Buloh
THOUSANDS of illegal immigrants have virtually taken over Sungai Buloh New Village, doing whatever they please, even illicitly, right under the noses of police manning a station there.
Malay Mail, following up on complaints from residents, learnt that there are an estimated 50,000 foreigners there, three-quarters believed to be illegal.
Our checks also revealed that these illegal immigrants are allegedly involved in vice, drugs and other unlawful activities, catering to their countrymen as well as locals.
These activities have reportedly driven some local residents, fearing for their safety, out of the township.
There is an office of a vigilante corps, known as Perkhidmatan Tindakan Cemas Malaysia (Emergency Action Forces of Malaysia) at the top floor of a shophouse but their activities are a mystery even to the locals (see accompanying story).
Residents told Malay Mail reporters who visited the area several times in the past month that many of the foreigners have been there for several years, even though there is a police station in front of a row of shophouses near the entrance to the township.
"The police could have just checked the workers hanging out at the restaurants or those living in the apartments above the shophouses... and they would have made a bountiful catch of illegals," said a resident. "But they do not do it." The increasing presence of prostitutes, mostly Vietnamese and Myanmar who charge between RM20 to RM50, is also worrying local residents.
These girls operate from several shophouses under the pretext of providing massage services. Locals who converge on the township on weekends are also taking to them in droves.
Malay Mail approached several foreign workers there on the pretext of looking for cheap labour and their responses revealed the story.
They spoke readily, as a higher salary would help them leave their workplaces, where wages are pittance and the employers, being aware of their illegal status, hold them to ransom.
Many openly declared that they had either overstayed or have never had any documents to stay or work in the country.
The way they brazenly challenge the law has caused concern among the locals. With Bangladeshis, Vietnamese and Nepalese walking about freely in the township, it is no wonder that a local would feel intimidated when almost everyone, even the petty traders, are foreigners.
They even organise their own pasar malam on Sunday evenings to cater to the growing population. Thousands would converge at the pasar malam where only a handful of the traders are locals.
Some foreign traders even use small canopies with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall logo on them.
It is learnt that thousands work in factories and live in apartments above the shops. Many are slowly moving into houses in the area.
It is not difficult to spot a house packed with illegal immigrants.
Bicycles are a tell-tale sign; they use them to travel to their workplace.
Another giveaway is the empty Chinese altars at the front of the houses.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illegal, but a source of cheap labour
THEY come from countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, not looking for a better life but for better wages, a steady income even, so that they can improve the lot of their families back home.
However, many of them ended up being cheated by the manpower agents that paved the way for their journey to Malaysia. So where do the hundreds, possibly even thousands, of such workers go? They go anywhere, and take up any kind of job, for cheap, so that they can return the money they borrowed - or hocked property - to get to Malaysia.
And many end up in Sungai Buloh New Village.
Some of the foreign workers in the township who spoke to the Malay Mail probe team said though many of the workers there did not have valid documents, they were ready to move to any place where they could get better wages.
"We are zero. We are prepared to move anywhere. As long as you can promise us a steady wage and not take advantage of us," one of the foreigners hanging around outside his working quarters told us.
This was a shoplot, located about 100m from the township's police station.
The migrant worker, a Nepalese, said he and a group of his countrymen came into the country legally and were lawfully employed.
However, one day six months ago their employer ordered them to follow another employer. They took the chance, and have been living as illegal workers in the township since then.
The wages they are paid, he said, are far below what they were propmised before they left Nepal.
"How many workers do you want? I can bring them to you for a fee," he volunteered.
The Malay Mail team was taken for a drive in the area again on a weekend and were shown where the foreigners were staying, and the various shops they were operating.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A mystery to residents too
IT apparently is a Sungai Buloh New Village mystery. No one that the Malay Mail Probe team spoke to could shed any light on Kor Vigilante & Penguatkuasaan Kawasan Sungai Buloh.
Located on the first floor of a shophouse in the village, the corps is also known as Perkhidmatan Tindakan Cemas Malaysia (Emergency Action Forces of Malaysia).
We stumbled onto the outfit when we were checking out stories about illegal immigrant workers in the village.
We decided to check it out since we had not heard of such a force.
We visited the office several times over a one-month period but the office was locked during the different times of the weekdays and weekends that we went there.
Traders in the area said they too had wondered about it as they had not seen anyone entering or leaving the office.
One of them laughed when told we wanted to join the outfit.
"That would be a waste of time.
If you have any problem in your neighbourhood, call the police," he said when given a concocted tale that a residents' association wanted the corps' help to weed out criminal activities in its neighbourhood.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From communist haven to nursery centre
FROM a black area to a haven for nature lovers. That's how Sungai Buloh has transformed.
Communist activities were so rampant during the Japanese Occupation that Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh was formed to curb the elements. After starting with vegetable and fruit cultivation, and pig farming, it experienced another transformation by becoming a haven for small and medium-sized industries.
But an accident which shook the nation in the early 90s placed the village into disarray. Bright Sparklers, a factory which produced fireworks, exploded, killing more than 100 workers.
And of course, the National Leprosy Centre, set up in the 40s and officially closed down several years ago, formed a stigma for Sungai Buloh as a place to stay away from. That was until the late 70s and early 80s when developers started building houses in the area.
It has also become a centre for nurseries. The nurseries have attracted not only city dwellers but also those from other States.
Foreigners also gravitate to the area because of job opportunities.
That has created a social problem.
Anwar lodges report with FT(Syariah) religious dept against Saiful
Source : The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lodged a report at the Federal Territory Religious Department against Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan saying the 23-year-old former aide has falsely accused him of fornication.
He made the report under Section 41 Qazaf (false accusation) of the Federal Territory Syariah Criminal Offence Act 1997.
Under Section 42, if someone accuses another person of fornication “without providing four male witness or the iqrar (oath) of the person who is accused” the accuser has committed an offence in which he (the accuser) can be fined up to RM5,000 or jailed up to three years or both.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday after he met with Muhammad Ajib, the director-general of the enforcement unit, Anwar said he had made the report under qazaf based on advice from his lawyers and religious scholars to clear his name and that of his family “from this malicious attack on my character.”
“It’s demeaning to me and my family. This slander is a major issue because it involves a sexual crime and attempts to mislead the Muslim population to attack me and my character,” he said adding that the accusation was fabrication and clearly politically motivated.
Early this month, a former PKR volunteer, Saiful, claimed that Anwar had sodomised him at a condominium at Bukit Damansara. He made a police report on the matter.
Saiful also challenged the de facto PKR leader to a mubahalah which is to take an oath before God to show who is telling the truth by seeking God’s curse to befall the lying person.
Anwar who was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and lawyer Kamar Ainiah Kamaruzaman, said he was prepared to take part in a mubahalah if the ulamak and syariah courts advise him to do so.
“I am leaving it to the Islamic scholars. It is not a question of courage or that I am not prepared to take an oath but because it is a religious issue - not a political game - so I have to be (correctly) advised about it.
“If the ulamak and syariah court advise this needs to done, then I will do it,” he said.
Anwar said Muslim scholars had advised him against doing anything that transgressed Islamic rule.
“This is a criminal offence. It must be investigated. There’s nothing in Islamic law that allows you to take an oath when it is a criminal offence.
“Otherwise a murderer can swear on the Quran and get away scot-free,” he said, adding that this (mubahalah proposal) was a form of trickery to delude the Muslims as whatever he did could influence a great number of Muslims in the country.
His lawyer Kamar Ainiah said under Islam a man was innocent until proven guilty and it was up to the accuser to bring forward four witnesses to prove his accusation.
To a question that Saiful had claimed that Anwar had sodomised him against his will and hence the matter should be considered as rape rather than fornication, Kamar Ainiah said, this was not logical as the former (Saiful) was much bigger and stronger than Anwar and should have been able to fight him off if that was so.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Honda Civic GX NGV
Let's change to Honda Civic GX NGV, No more petrol issue! The technology and learning from the GX will help make fuel-cell technology available sooner. So, not only will you save money but you'll also do your part for a cleaner environment.
Engine Specification:
Engine Type : In-Line 4-Cylinder
Engine Block/Cylinder Head : Aluminum-Alloy
Displacement (cc) : 1799
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net) : 113 @ 6300
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm) : 109 @ 4300
Bore and Stroke (mm) : 81 x 87.3
Compression Ratio : 12.5:1
Valve Train : 16-Valve SOHC i-VTEC®
Multi-Point Natural-Gas Fuel Injection : Standard
Drive-by-Wire™ Throttle System : Standard
Front-Wheel Drive : Standard
CARB Emissions Rating : AT-PZEV
Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer : Standard
Battery : 12V-36Ah/5Hr
Alternator : 12V-90Ah
100K +/- Miles No Scheduled Tune-Ups* : Standard
Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System : Standard
more details
Video and 3gp The Budak Jolai
When you making a sex tape on your cell phone in Malaysia ... that is not the best idea.
That's what a 52-year-old farmer, a 21-year-old woman, and their cameraman have found after they filmed what's become known as the Budak Jolai Sex Tape on a rubber
plantation in the Malaysian city of Felda. The footage quicky circulated on area cell phones via Bluetooth and MMS.
When the police came to arrest those involved, the 52-year-old man claimed, that this had been in first time having sex (is that true??), and he paid the girl with a phone card that cost RM20, or $6.25 in American currency.
Wow... only Rm 20 you can get a young girls to make sex?? Don't ask me where the video.....
Kim Kardashian in Red Bikini...
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is currently the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive street-legal full production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (407.9 km/h or 253.2 mph), though several faster or more expensive vehicles have been produced on a limited basis. It reached full production in September 2005. The car is built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS in its Molsheim
(Alsace, France) factory and is sold under the Italian/French Bugatti marque. It is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm. It is also the world's second supercar with 16 cylinders, after the Cizeta Moroder V16T.
Specifications
The Veyron features a W16 engine—16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders, or the equivalent of two narrow-angle V8 engines mated in a "W" configuration. Each cylinder has 4 valves, for a total of 64, but the narrow V8 configuration allows two camshafts to drive two banks of cylinders so only 4 camshafts are needed. The engine is fed by four turbochargers, and it displaces 8.0 L (7,993 cc/488 in³) with a square 86 by 86 mm bore and stroke.
Putting this power to the ground is a dual-clutch DSG computer-controlled manual transmission with 7 gear ratios via shifter paddles behind the steering wheel boasting an 8 ms shift time. The Veyron can be driven by full automatic transmission. The Veyron also features full-time all-wheel drive based on the Haldex system. It uses special Michelin run-flat tires designed specifically for the Veyron to accommodate the vehicle's top speed. Although these tyres are built to withstand extreme temperatures, at top speed they will only last for 15 minutes before running out. This is not a problem however, since at that speed the fuel will run out in 12 minutes.[1] While unusual for street-legal cars, frequent refuelings and tire changes are a common occurence in high speed car racing. At comparatively lower speeds (e.g. "only" 300 km/h instead of 400), both tires and fuel last significantly longer.
Curb weight is estimated at 4,160 lb (1890 kg). This gives the car a power to weight ratio of 529 bhp/tonne.
The car's wheelbase is 2710 mm (106.3 in). Overall length is 4462 mm (175.8 in). It measures 1998 mm (78.7 in) wide and 1206 mm (47.5 in) tall.
Final Numbers
Vehicle type: mid-engine, all-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
Base Price: € 1,127,210 (£757 359, $1,440,800)
Engine type: quad-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 64-valve W-16, aluminium block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 7993 cm³ (488.8 in³)
Performance Ratings as Tested :
* Zero to 60 mph (97 km/h): 2.3 s
* Zero to 100 mph (161 km/h): 5.4 s
* Zero to 150 mph (241 km/h): 10.1 s
* Zero to 200 mph (322 km/h): 18.2 s
* Standing Quarter-Mile / 402 Meter: 10.2 sec @ 153 mph s [4]
* Zero to 100 km/h: 2.4 s
* Zero to 200 km/h: 5.5 s
* Zero to 300 km/h: 18.3 s
* Zero to 400 km/h: 32 s [5][6]
Top speed (Electronically Limited): 253 mph (407.5 km/h)
Theoretical Top Speed: 257 mph (414 km/h) [7]
Best Record: 253 mph (407 km/h)
(Alsace, France) factory and is sold under the Italian/French Bugatti marque. It is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm. It is also the world's second supercar with 16 cylinders, after the Cizeta Moroder V16T.
Specifications
The Veyron features a W16 engine—16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders, or the equivalent of two narrow-angle V8 engines mated in a "W" configuration. Each cylinder has 4 valves, for a total of 64, but the narrow V8 configuration allows two camshafts to drive two banks of cylinders so only 4 camshafts are needed. The engine is fed by four turbochargers, and it displaces 8.0 L (7,993 cc/488 in³) with a square 86 by 86 mm bore and stroke.
Putting this power to the ground is a dual-clutch DSG computer-controlled manual transmission with 7 gear ratios via shifter paddles behind the steering wheel boasting an 8 ms shift time. The Veyron can be driven by full automatic transmission. The Veyron also features full-time all-wheel drive based on the Haldex system. It uses special Michelin run-flat tires designed specifically for the Veyron to accommodate the vehicle's top speed. Although these tyres are built to withstand extreme temperatures, at top speed they will only last for 15 minutes before running out. This is not a problem however, since at that speed the fuel will run out in 12 minutes.[1] While unusual for street-legal cars, frequent refuelings and tire changes are a common occurence in high speed car racing. At comparatively lower speeds (e.g. "only" 300 km/h instead of 400), both tires and fuel last significantly longer.
Curb weight is estimated at 4,160 lb (1890 kg). This gives the car a power to weight ratio of 529 bhp/tonne.
The car's wheelbase is 2710 mm (106.3 in). Overall length is 4462 mm (175.8 in). It measures 1998 mm (78.7 in) wide and 1206 mm (47.5 in) tall.
Final Numbers
Vehicle type: mid-engine, all-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
Base Price: € 1,127,210 (£757 359, $1,440,800)
Engine type: quad-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 64-valve W-16, aluminium block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 7993 cm³ (488.8 in³)
Performance Ratings as Tested :
* Zero to 60 mph (97 km/h): 2.3 s
* Zero to 100 mph (161 km/h): 5.4 s
* Zero to 150 mph (241 km/h): 10.1 s
* Zero to 200 mph (322 km/h): 18.2 s
* Standing Quarter-Mile / 402 Meter: 10.2 sec @ 153 mph s [4]
* Zero to 100 km/h: 2.4 s
* Zero to 200 km/h: 5.5 s
* Zero to 300 km/h: 18.3 s
* Zero to 400 km/h: 32 s [5][6]
Top speed (Electronically Limited): 253 mph (407.5 km/h)
Theoretical Top Speed: 257 mph (414 km/h) [7]
Best Record: 253 mph (407 km/h)
Witnesses put pressure on Anwar
Lisa Murray in Kuala Lumpur
July 8, 2008
THE Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is under renewed pressure as police investigating sodomy allegations say they have statements from 18 witnesses, including doctors who examined his former aide and accuser.
If found guilty, Mr Anwar, who was jailed over similar charges a decade ago, could face another 20 years' jail and a whipping. His accuser, Mohd Saiful, 23, has asked for police protection until the investigation is over.
"He asked for protection and he has the right to do so as a citizen," said the head of the department of criminal investigations, Bakri Zinin, adding that police had already recorded statements from 18 witnesses and would approach more people in coming days. Mr Anwar has yet to be approached by police. Mr Bakri refused to say when he might be contacted.
Mr Anwar told a rally of 20,000 people on Sunday that he would fight the charges. "Believe me, what was alleged 10 years ago is being repeated with malice and slander, and I will not accept this but will fight it to the end."
The new sodomy accusations are just one side of a bizarre political showdown that pits Mr Anwar against the Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak. Mr Anwar has accused Mr Razak of masterminding a plot to end his political career at a time when he has enough support to topple the Government.
Mr Razak has also denied claims that he had an affair with a Mongolian woman who was shot in the head, strapped with explosives and blown up in a forest outside Kuala Lumpur in 2006. The claims were made by a private investigator, Balasubramaniam Perumal, as part of a news conference Mr Anwar organised last week.
Mr Balasubramaniam, a former detective with the Malaysian intelligence agency known as the special branch, later retracted his statement, saying it was made under duress. He and his wife and children are now missing, and police have issued an international alert, saying he may have been detained by "interested parties" or in hiding. They have called on him to come forward and explain his conflicting statements. Mr Balasubramaniam's family have told local newspapers they are worried for his safety.
In an election in March opposition parties won a record number of seats in parliament, and need just 30 members to switch allegiance to form government, a feat hitherto considered impossible.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, will visit Kuala Lumpur on Thursday on his way back from the Group of Eight meeting in Japan. Mr Rudd is not expected to meet Mr Anwar.
July 8, 2008
THE Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is under renewed pressure as police investigating sodomy allegations say they have statements from 18 witnesses, including doctors who examined his former aide and accuser.
If found guilty, Mr Anwar, who was jailed over similar charges a decade ago, could face another 20 years' jail and a whipping. His accuser, Mohd Saiful, 23, has asked for police protection until the investigation is over.
"He asked for protection and he has the right to do so as a citizen," said the head of the department of criminal investigations, Bakri Zinin, adding that police had already recorded statements from 18 witnesses and would approach more people in coming days. Mr Anwar has yet to be approached by police. Mr Bakri refused to say when he might be contacted.
Mr Anwar told a rally of 20,000 people on Sunday that he would fight the charges. "Believe me, what was alleged 10 years ago is being repeated with malice and slander, and I will not accept this but will fight it to the end."
The new sodomy accusations are just one side of a bizarre political showdown that pits Mr Anwar against the Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak. Mr Anwar has accused Mr Razak of masterminding a plot to end his political career at a time when he has enough support to topple the Government.
Mr Razak has also denied claims that he had an affair with a Mongolian woman who was shot in the head, strapped with explosives and blown up in a forest outside Kuala Lumpur in 2006. The claims were made by a private investigator, Balasubramaniam Perumal, as part of a news conference Mr Anwar organised last week.
Mr Balasubramaniam, a former detective with the Malaysian intelligence agency known as the special branch, later retracted his statement, saying it was made under duress. He and his wife and children are now missing, and police have issued an international alert, saying he may have been detained by "interested parties" or in hiding. They have called on him to come forward and explain his conflicting statements. Mr Balasubramaniam's family have told local newspapers they are worried for his safety.
In an election in March opposition parties won a record number of seats in parliament, and need just 30 members to switch allegiance to form government, a feat hitherto considered impossible.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, will visit Kuala Lumpur on Thursday on his way back from the Group of Eight meeting in Japan. Mr Rudd is not expected to meet Mr Anwar.
New Volvo C30 Launched in Malaysia - Information and Price
Volvo c30 newly launched in Malaysia with a new and unique shape on the back portion of the volvo c30. This car is based on volvo concept car. So, this is another new concept car being commercialised in Malaysia. Volvo Malaysia make a step forward
introducing this new volvo c30 car that has some different characteristic.
The volvo C30 is a strict four-seater with two individual rear chairs which is unique. Adults will find the accommodation adequate for short journeys but in a comfortable condition. The C30’s trunk space is compromised by its styling. At least it can be extended by folding the rear seatbacks flat. The C30’s shape was previewed in the Safety Concept Car (SCC), which was shown at the Detroit auto show in 2001. The positive public reaction gave the management the confidence to put it into production and now the volvo c30 available in Malaysia.
There are two such engines for the C30 – a 2.5-litre turbocharged T5 unit and a 2.4-litre without turbo. Dubbed the T5, it generates 216 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 236 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 and 4,800 rpm. This engine is available with either a six-speed stick shift or a five-speed auto, which has the added benefit of a sequential shift facility that smoothen your driving experience.
Searingly rapid it isn’t, but the C30 T5 is swift. The turbo is only lightly stressed so lag is never a problem and it has a distinctive five-cylinder hum. It also works well with the Geartronic transmission. Volvo says zero to 62 mph takes 7.1 seconds (6.7 for the manual) and top speed is 146 mph (149 for the manual). The last Cooper S we tested hit 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, while the last GTI needed 7.2, so the C30 T5 is quick for its class.
Although the turbo five-cylinder suits the C30’s character well, don’t rule out other engines in the C30’s future — Volvo’s 168-hp 2.4 looks like a good bet.
How about the price of this new volvo c30?
The pricetag of this new volvo c30 is RM215,500 (without insurance). A lot of money for a small car but Robert Norrman, President of Volvo Car Malaysia, is quick to point out that a significant portion of the money paid goes to the Malaysian Treasury and not Volvo. Coming into Malaysia as a completely built-up (CBU) import from Belgium, the C30 is subject to high import duties (30%) plus 90% excise duties.
Source : Kereta Info
'Pregnant Man' given birth to a girl
An American man who was born a woman before undergoing gender realignment surgery 10 years ago has given birth to a girl.Thomas Beatie, who is legally male but decided to keep his female sex organs despite chest reconstruction surgery and testosterone therapy, gave birth at an Oregon hospital on June 29, People magazine reported. The baby was conceived through artificial insemination using donor sperm and Beatie’s own eggs.
It said 34-year-old Beatie had given birth naturally, not by Caesarean section. “The
only thing different about me is that I can’t breastfeed my baby. But a lot of mothers don’t,” it quoted Beatie as saying.
Michael Dillon of UK was the first ‘man-made man’
What is transsexualism?
Intersex or transsexualism is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male i.e. an innate gender identity opposite to the genital sex of their bodies. Studies reveal that it is seen in about 1 in 11,900 males and 1 in 30,400 females. Although most infants appear to be either normal boys or girls, various genetic and developmental effects can lead to infants having ambiguous genitalia, or the genitals look correct for one gender but are not consistent with the infants genes or the child’s genes are more complex than just XX or XY, making it difficult to predict the child’s gender identity.
Dealing with such individuals entails a diagnostic assessment, psychotherapy, real-life experience, hormone therapy, and surgical therapy. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) is a dramatic and irrevocable final step in male to female gender transition (or vice-versa) and is undertaken only after a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional as it requires change in the genitalia and other sex characteristics.
When was the first sex change operation done?
Michael Dillon of Britain was the first manmade man. His surgery to change his gender (13 operations between 1946 and 1949) is considered the first of the modern era because of its surgical sophistication and its early use of testosterone. After the transformation from Laura to Michael, Dillon became one of the first scholars in the world to work out a classification system for sexual identity and sexual desire.
In 1952, Christine Jorgensen (earlier George) became the first transsexual in the US to publicly announce her change of sexual identity. She scandalized America in the uptight ‘50s when sex was still in the closet.
How does a male change to a female?
Doctors have to create a vagina and that is created under the scrotum. They fillet out and preserve the penile skin and the scrotal skin. Then, they make an opening behind the prostate and the urethra and a vagina is created in front of the rectum. But transwomen don’t get a new uterus or an ovary. The vagina is lined with the penile skin that is left. The scrotal skin is used to make the labia and the lips of a vagina.
How does a male become a female?
In a female to male operation, doctors have to remove the uterus and ovaries, and then the breasts. Then they close the vagina and reconstruct a penis. There are several ways of reconstructing a penis and having a urethra or a passage through which the urine passes. One of them is surgically reconfiguring the clitoris to mimic a phallus. It takes about a year to do these four-five surgeries.
Can people have sexual intercourse after a sex change?
In both the situations, one can definitely have sexual intercourse. Male to female is a more satisfying surgery both in terms of the physical appearance and sexual satisfaction, than the opposite way. Female to male is more difficult.
After sex change, can a woman become a father and can a man become a mother?
Biological sex remains the same whether one has a male to female transformation or female to male. Biological sex means XY and XX chromosomes will remain the same so a man cannot become a mother after a sex change. A woman who has become a man, however, can give birth if she has chosen not to remove her female reproductive organs. In order for the transman to conceive, hormone therapy has to be stopped.
What is the appropriate age when the sex of a person can be changed?
The age issue is very important. The operation is usually not done before adolescence. It is done mostly after the age of 21 and not after 40-45 years of age.
It said 34-year-old Beatie had given birth naturally, not by Caesarean section. “The
only thing different about me is that I can’t breastfeed my baby. But a lot of mothers don’t,” it quoted Beatie as saying.
Michael Dillon of UK was the first ‘man-made man’
What is transsexualism?
Intersex or transsexualism is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male i.e. an innate gender identity opposite to the genital sex of their bodies. Studies reveal that it is seen in about 1 in 11,900 males and 1 in 30,400 females. Although most infants appear to be either normal boys or girls, various genetic and developmental effects can lead to infants having ambiguous genitalia, or the genitals look correct for one gender but are not consistent with the infants genes or the child’s genes are more complex than just XX or XY, making it difficult to predict the child’s gender identity.
Dealing with such individuals entails a diagnostic assessment, psychotherapy, real-life experience, hormone therapy, and surgical therapy. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) is a dramatic and irrevocable final step in male to female gender transition (or vice-versa) and is undertaken only after a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional as it requires change in the genitalia and other sex characteristics.
When was the first sex change operation done?
Michael Dillon of Britain was the first manmade man. His surgery to change his gender (13 operations between 1946 and 1949) is considered the first of the modern era because of its surgical sophistication and its early use of testosterone. After the transformation from Laura to Michael, Dillon became one of the first scholars in the world to work out a classification system for sexual identity and sexual desire.
In 1952, Christine Jorgensen (earlier George) became the first transsexual in the US to publicly announce her change of sexual identity. She scandalized America in the uptight ‘50s when sex was still in the closet.
How does a male change to a female?
Doctors have to create a vagina and that is created under the scrotum. They fillet out and preserve the penile skin and the scrotal skin. Then, they make an opening behind the prostate and the urethra and a vagina is created in front of the rectum. But transwomen don’t get a new uterus or an ovary. The vagina is lined with the penile skin that is left. The scrotal skin is used to make the labia and the lips of a vagina.
How does a male become a female?
In a female to male operation, doctors have to remove the uterus and ovaries, and then the breasts. Then they close the vagina and reconstruct a penis. There are several ways of reconstructing a penis and having a urethra or a passage through which the urine passes. One of them is surgically reconfiguring the clitoris to mimic a phallus. It takes about a year to do these four-five surgeries.
Can people have sexual intercourse after a sex change?
In both the situations, one can definitely have sexual intercourse. Male to female is a more satisfying surgery both in terms of the physical appearance and sexual satisfaction, than the opposite way. Female to male is more difficult.
After sex change, can a woman become a father and can a man become a mother?
Biological sex remains the same whether one has a male to female transformation or female to male. Biological sex means XY and XX chromosomes will remain the same so a man cannot become a mother after a sex change. A woman who has become a man, however, can give birth if she has chosen not to remove her female reproductive organs. In order for the transman to conceive, hormone therapy has to be stopped.
What is the appropriate age when the sex of a person can be changed?
The age issue is very important. The operation is usually not done before adolescence. It is done mostly after the age of 21 and not after 40-45 years of age.
Monday, July 7, 2008
It is better if I debate with the Prime Minister - Anwar
PETALING JAYA, July 7 ─ The crowd was way smaller than the predicted one million and the 50,000 capacity stadium was not filled to the brim but Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last night challenged the government to debate about the pump price hikes.
Some 20,000 people defied police warnings to shun the anti-fuel price hike and pro-Anwar rally at the Stadium Kelana Jaya which began in the morning with political
speeches interspersed with rock performances as a police helicopter hovered overhead.
"It is better if I debate with the Prime Minister. If he's not willing to debate with me alone, I'm happy to challenge him and the Deputy Prime Minister; them on one side together," said Anwar, whose arrival earlier caused pandemonium with supporters jumping until a makeshift stage broke apart.
He is scheduled to debate on the price hikes with Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek on July 15 and he promised that his allies would bring up the matter in Parliament today.
"Azizah, Kit Siang and other MPs will stand in Parliament tomorrow (today) to demand a reduction in fuel prices. They will convey the wishes of the people," Anwar thundered, referring to his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Parliamentary Opposition Leader, and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang.
The opposition leader has made a stunning comeback from a decade of political wilderness, six of which spent in jail for corruption and sodomy convictions, to see his alliance of three parties winning 82 parliamentary seats and four more states apart from Kelantan.
But the swift political ascendancy and an earlier promise of capturing Putrajaya by Sept 16 is now mired in a sodomy allegation, the second in a decade and which he reasserts is a political conspiracy.
Last night, Anwar did not mention forming a government by Malaysia Day or Sept 16 but promised to press ahead until the opposition pact ousts Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Barisan Nasional government.
He repeated his spiel from earlier rallies, saying "The people are living in hardship, the BN ministers in luxury ... If Pakatan Rakyat takes over the government today, tomorrow we will bring down the price of oil."
Anwar, who made public a sworn statement claiming Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is linked to murdered Mongolian model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, said Malaysia is going through a crisis of confidence.
"This is a crisis of confidence against leaders of Barisan Nasional. This crisis is impoverishing the people. If Datuk Dollah and Najib are unwilling, Anwar is willing. It's a question of survival, food, education," he told the crowd who were mostly dressed in red T-shirts.
He also challenged his critics, who had dared him to swear on the Quran, to deny the sodomy claims by his estranged personal aide, a 23-year-old university dropout .
"Don't play-play with this issue. If you want to follow the Islamic method, take me to the Syariah Court. Then if they want me to swear on it, I'll do it," Anwar said.
Among others who spoke were Lim, Dr Hatta Ramli from PAS and leaders from Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). The crowd had earlier thrown empty water bottles at a rock band that performed lewdly.
Police maintained light presence around the stadium but had mounted roadblocks on major arteries there such as the Federal Highway and the LDP expressway causing traffic congestion.
Some 20,000 people defied police warnings to shun the anti-fuel price hike and pro-Anwar rally at the Stadium Kelana Jaya which began in the morning with political
speeches interspersed with rock performances as a police helicopter hovered overhead.
"It is better if I debate with the Prime Minister. If he's not willing to debate with me alone, I'm happy to challenge him and the Deputy Prime Minister; them on one side together," said Anwar, whose arrival earlier caused pandemonium with supporters jumping until a makeshift stage broke apart.
He is scheduled to debate on the price hikes with Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek on July 15 and he promised that his allies would bring up the matter in Parliament today.
"Azizah, Kit Siang and other MPs will stand in Parliament tomorrow (today) to demand a reduction in fuel prices. They will convey the wishes of the people," Anwar thundered, referring to his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Parliamentary Opposition Leader, and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang.
The opposition leader has made a stunning comeback from a decade of political wilderness, six of which spent in jail for corruption and sodomy convictions, to see his alliance of three parties winning 82 parliamentary seats and four more states apart from Kelantan.
But the swift political ascendancy and an earlier promise of capturing Putrajaya by Sept 16 is now mired in a sodomy allegation, the second in a decade and which he reasserts is a political conspiracy.
Last night, Anwar did not mention forming a government by Malaysia Day or Sept 16 but promised to press ahead until the opposition pact ousts Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Barisan Nasional government.
He repeated his spiel from earlier rallies, saying "The people are living in hardship, the BN ministers in luxury ... If Pakatan Rakyat takes over the government today, tomorrow we will bring down the price of oil."
Anwar, who made public a sworn statement claiming Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is linked to murdered Mongolian model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, said Malaysia is going through a crisis of confidence.
"This is a crisis of confidence against leaders of Barisan Nasional. This crisis is impoverishing the people. If Datuk Dollah and Najib are unwilling, Anwar is willing. It's a question of survival, food, education," he told the crowd who were mostly dressed in red T-shirts.
He also challenged his critics, who had dared him to swear on the Quran, to deny the sodomy claims by his estranged personal aide, a 23-year-old university dropout .
"Don't play-play with this issue. If you want to follow the Islamic method, take me to the Syariah Court. Then if they want me to swear on it, I'll do it," Anwar said.
Among others who spoke were Lim, Dr Hatta Ramli from PAS and leaders from Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). The crowd had earlier thrown empty water bottles at a rock band that performed lewdly.
Police maintained light presence around the stadium but had mounted roadblocks on major arteries there such as the Federal Highway and the LDP expressway causing traffic congestion.
Google Logo Drawn by Kids
Google has asked students in the United States in grades K-12 to design a logo aroud the theme ‘What if …?”. The Doodle 4 Google competition was open to all students in U.S. schools from kindergarten to grade 12. The winner was voted by the US public and an award ceremony for the 40 regional winners was held at the Googleplex in Mountain View.
The winning logo was done by Grace Moon (the girl featured in one of the photo) of California called ‘Up in the Clouds’ and her logo was used for Google’s logo art for a day. These are the finalists in Grades 10-12. Apparently some of these kids create better imaginative art than most of us adults can do.
Check out 44 more pics of Google logo drawn here http://corcholat.com/!3j3
New Proton MPV
New Proton MPV will be releasing in 2009, so we’ll see around. Anyway here are some of the photo that you might be interested to buy.
Is it look likes Toyota Wish? How much do you think it will cost?
Is it look likes Toyota Wish? How much do you think it will cost?
New 7 Worlds Wonder
In 2006 , 21 monuments were short listed amid much controversy by Swiss organization New Open World Corporation for the public to vote online and name the New Seven Wonders of the World. Alongside one honorary wonder , the Pyramid of Giza, these seven winners were unveiled on 7 July 2007.
Chichen Itza , Mexico
Dated: 800 A.D.
From its famed heyday as the Mayan Political and economic center as well as site for human sacrifices, several surviving structures including the Pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of the Warriors, the Hall of Thousand Pillars and the Great Ball Court can still be found here.
Colosseum, Italy
Dated: 70 A.D.
Construction of the Colosseum began under the rule of Emperor Vespasian to celebrate a great victory and was used for gladiator fights and cruel blood sports which sacrificed over 9000 wild animals during its inaugural games. More recently, the site has provided the backdrop of concerts by Ray Charles, Paul McCartney and Elton John.
Petra, Jordan
Dated: ? BC - 40 A.D.
Petra was known as the capital of the Nabatean empire of King Aretas IV hewn out of rose red rock cliffs. Masters of the water technology, the Nabateans provided their city with great tunnel construction and water chambers. Keep an eye out for its appearance in movies such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Mortal Combat: Annihilation .
Great Wall Of China, China
Dated: 220BC and 1386 - 1444 A.D.
China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang fortified and linked existing defense walls to keep the invading Mongol tribes out, which inadvertently created the largest man-made monument ever to have been built - the Great Wall of China. Although parts of the wall have been preserved, more than 60km of the wall in Gansu province is in danger of disappearing over the next 20 years due to sandstorms.
Machhu Pichhu
Dated : 1460
The lost city of Macchu Pichu was built by the Incan Emperor Pachacutec and was only rediscovered three centuries later by American historian Hiram Ringham in 1911 . The site consists of several mystical structures, including the Intuhuatana stones which shamans believe will allow a person to see the spirit world by rubbing their forehead on it.
Taj Mahal, India
Dated : 1648
The Taj Mahal was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan to honor the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. Constructed out of white marble and standing amids carefully manicured gardens, it is considered the finest monument of Muslim art and architecture. These days, the monument attracts two to 4 million tourist annually.
Christ The Redeemer, Brazil
Dated: 1931
Thirsty eight metres tall, this statue of Christ overlloks Rio de Janeiro from its perch atop the Corcovado mountain. The statues has become a symbol of the city and the warmth of Brazilian people who welcome visitors with open arms. Earlier this year the statues was struck by lightning during a violent electrical storm that hit Rio de Janeiro . It remained unharm.
Chichen Itza , Mexico
Dated: 800 A.D.
From its famed heyday as the Mayan Political and economic center as well as site for human sacrifices, several surviving structures including the Pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of the Warriors, the Hall of Thousand Pillars and the Great Ball Court can still be found here.
Colosseum, Italy
Dated: 70 A.D.
Construction of the Colosseum began under the rule of Emperor Vespasian to celebrate a great victory and was used for gladiator fights and cruel blood sports which sacrificed over 9000 wild animals during its inaugural games. More recently, the site has provided the backdrop of concerts by Ray Charles, Paul McCartney and Elton John.
Petra, Jordan
Dated: ? BC - 40 A.D.
Petra was known as the capital of the Nabatean empire of King Aretas IV hewn out of rose red rock cliffs. Masters of the water technology, the Nabateans provided their city with great tunnel construction and water chambers. Keep an eye out for its appearance in movies such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Mortal Combat: Annihilation .
Great Wall Of China, China
Dated: 220BC and 1386 - 1444 A.D.
China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang fortified and linked existing defense walls to keep the invading Mongol tribes out, which inadvertently created the largest man-made monument ever to have been built - the Great Wall of China. Although parts of the wall have been preserved, more than 60km of the wall in Gansu province is in danger of disappearing over the next 20 years due to sandstorms.
Machhu Pichhu
Dated : 1460
The lost city of Macchu Pichu was built by the Incan Emperor Pachacutec and was only rediscovered three centuries later by American historian Hiram Ringham in 1911 . The site consists of several mystical structures, including the Intuhuatana stones which shamans believe will allow a person to see the spirit world by rubbing their forehead on it.
Taj Mahal, India
Dated : 1648
The Taj Mahal was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan to honor the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. Constructed out of white marble and standing amids carefully manicured gardens, it is considered the finest monument of Muslim art and architecture. These days, the monument attracts two to 4 million tourist annually.
Christ The Redeemer, Brazil
Dated: 1931
Thirsty eight metres tall, this statue of Christ overlloks Rio de Janeiro from its perch atop the Corcovado mountain. The statues has become a symbol of the city and the warmth of Brazilian people who welcome visitors with open arms. Earlier this year the statues was struck by lightning during a violent electrical storm that hit Rio de Janeiro . It remained unharm.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Anwar gains upper hand as Najib is put on the defensive
Anwar gains upper hand as Najib is put on the defensive
KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 ─ Malaysians may be left confused by the political mud-slinging last week, but one thing seems clear ─ opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has come out a winner in public perception.
And Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's reputation has been left somewhat dented after this bruising battle with Anwar, seen as his closest rival for the premiership of Malaysia.
The accusations and counter-accusations kept Malaysians agog with its twists and turns last week, and has polarised the country almost as bitterly as it did in 1998, when Anwar was first accused of sodomy.
Then, it was former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who sacked him over allegations that he had sodomised his employees.
Last week, it was Anwar's aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan who made the accusation in a police report. The police have not made known their findings.
But many Malaysians have made up their minds. According to an independent survey last week, nearly 60 per cent believed it was part of a political conspiracy.
“It is no longer about who is telling the truth, or who is right or wrong. It is about public perception, and what people believe or want to believe,” political commentator Joceline Tan wrote in her column in The Star newspaper yesterday.
She noted that it was amazing how Anwar had managed to dictate events. He proved again just how astute he is at playing this political game.
His dawn rush to the Turkish Embassy for refuge on June 29 over alleged death threats immediately cast him as a victim.
The release of a photograph of Saiful with an aide of Najib further cemented the impression of a political conspiracy, and this was compounded by the deputy premier's admission that the young man had seen him after the alleged sexual assault.
No doubt, Anwar already knew of this meeting. It is believed that his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail had informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi about this when she saw him to ask for a guarantee of her husband's safety.
Najib had, in fact, volunteered information on his meeting with Saiful without being asked during a press conference.
Anwar upped the stakes when he released a statutory declaration by a private investigator alleging that Najib had sexual relations with a Mongolian woman who was later murdered. Najib denied the claims.
The woman's lover, Abdul Razak Baginda, who is on trial for abetting her murder, is a close associate of Najib.
Anwar lost some of his gains, however, when the private investigator, P. Balasubramaniam, retracted his allegations a mere 24 hours later.
By the end of the week, the episode is less about Anwar's alleged wrongdoing than him being seen as a victim of political conspiracy yet again.
“After all, politics is all about perception,” Wong Chun Wai, a top editor of The Star, wrote in his column.
A political analyst, who thinks that the truth may never be fully known, agrees that it has left Anwar with a distinct, even if unplanned, advantage.
“It gives him the upper hand, and has put the Barisan Nasional even more on the defensive,” he said.
The timing could not have been better for Anwar, so much so that some have accused him of orchestrating the whole sodomy accusation.
His repetitive claims that he was about to seize power through defections from the BN ranks were beginning to wear thin. Anwar's credibility was increasingly being strained, and this was compounded by his inexplicable reluctance to contest a by-election that would allow him to re-enter Parliament.
He became eligible to contest in April after the expiry of a legal ban which arose from his conviction for corruption in 1999. One of his party's MPs was meant to resign his seat to force a by-election.
He had claimed that he was about to do so when the sodomy accusation arose.
“Without this week's events, Anwar may have lost momentum. But now, he has regained upper hand,” said the political analyst.
It may not bring him any closer to Malaysia's top post ─ which he is eyeing ─ but it has weakened the BN. And put his closest rival Najib at a disadvantage.
Abdullah, who has been under pressure to resign after the March 8 polls left his administration severely weakened, has said he would hand over the job to Najib.
But while Najib has been left on the defensive, his strength within Umno appears to be intact.
The main setback for him now is that it has become untenable for him to take power until he regains credibility. ─ Singapore ST
KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 ─ Malaysians may be left confused by the political mud-slinging last week, but one thing seems clear ─ opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has come out a winner in public perception.
And Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's reputation has been left somewhat dented after this bruising battle with Anwar, seen as his closest rival for the premiership of Malaysia.
The accusations and counter-accusations kept Malaysians agog with its twists and turns last week, and has polarised the country almost as bitterly as it did in 1998, when Anwar was first accused of sodomy.
Then, it was former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who sacked him over allegations that he had sodomised his employees.
Last week, it was Anwar's aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan who made the accusation in a police report. The police have not made known their findings.
But many Malaysians have made up their minds. According to an independent survey last week, nearly 60 per cent believed it was part of a political conspiracy.
“It is no longer about who is telling the truth, or who is right or wrong. It is about public perception, and what people believe or want to believe,” political commentator Joceline Tan wrote in her column in The Star newspaper yesterday.
She noted that it was amazing how Anwar had managed to dictate events. He proved again just how astute he is at playing this political game.
His dawn rush to the Turkish Embassy for refuge on June 29 over alleged death threats immediately cast him as a victim.
The release of a photograph of Saiful with an aide of Najib further cemented the impression of a political conspiracy, and this was compounded by the deputy premier's admission that the young man had seen him after the alleged sexual assault.
No doubt, Anwar already knew of this meeting. It is believed that his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail had informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi about this when she saw him to ask for a guarantee of her husband's safety.
Najib had, in fact, volunteered information on his meeting with Saiful without being asked during a press conference.
Anwar upped the stakes when he released a statutory declaration by a private investigator alleging that Najib had sexual relations with a Mongolian woman who was later murdered. Najib denied the claims.
The woman's lover, Abdul Razak Baginda, who is on trial for abetting her murder, is a close associate of Najib.
Anwar lost some of his gains, however, when the private investigator, P. Balasubramaniam, retracted his allegations a mere 24 hours later.
By the end of the week, the episode is less about Anwar's alleged wrongdoing than him being seen as a victim of political conspiracy yet again.
“After all, politics is all about perception,” Wong Chun Wai, a top editor of The Star, wrote in his column.
A political analyst, who thinks that the truth may never be fully known, agrees that it has left Anwar with a distinct, even if unplanned, advantage.
“It gives him the upper hand, and has put the Barisan Nasional even more on the defensive,” he said.
The timing could not have been better for Anwar, so much so that some have accused him of orchestrating the whole sodomy accusation.
His repetitive claims that he was about to seize power through defections from the BN ranks were beginning to wear thin. Anwar's credibility was increasingly being strained, and this was compounded by his inexplicable reluctance to contest a by-election that would allow him to re-enter Parliament.
He became eligible to contest in April after the expiry of a legal ban which arose from his conviction for corruption in 1999. One of his party's MPs was meant to resign his seat to force a by-election.
He had claimed that he was about to do so when the sodomy accusation arose.
“Without this week's events, Anwar may have lost momentum. But now, he has regained upper hand,” said the political analyst.
It may not bring him any closer to Malaysia's top post ─ which he is eyeing ─ but it has weakened the BN. And put his closest rival Najib at a disadvantage.
Abdullah, who has been under pressure to resign after the March 8 polls left his administration severely weakened, has said he would hand over the job to Najib.
But while Najib has been left on the defensive, his strength within Umno appears to be intact.
The main setback for him now is that it has become untenable for him to take power until he regains credibility. ─ Singapore ST
Friday, July 4, 2008
Raja Petra's Malaysia Today website hacked and altered
Another drama in Malaysian politic scene....
KUALA LUMPUR, Wed:
If you click to open the Malaysia Today website just now, you will be greeted by a smiling Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dressed in army fatigues, an obvious picture alteration to the Mel Gibson movie poster "We Were Soldiers."
The site, edited and owned by the controversial Raja Petra Kamarudin, was hacked since early this morning by a hacker simply known as Gasakdotnet.
The hack appeared to be a political statement alluding to Dr Mahathir's "battle" for his country when he was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, which also includes the tagline "My Countrymen, My Fellow Malaysian."
In the tradition of movie promotions, the hacked poster is drumming up support for a "movie now showing nationwide", another statement alluding to Dr Mahathir's series of lectures and meetings criticising the Prime Minister's policies and management style.
Malaysia Today is no stranger to hacks, which included earlier attacks that prevented surfers from viewing the site.
However, it may be possible for some surfers to enter the site without seeing the hacker's handiwork due to a process called caching, which is storage or retention of data that had been viewed much earlier.
But until 10pm tonight, the site is still down and there was no sign of Gasakdotnet's handiwork. Viewers are also directed the website's server default page.
KUALA LUMPUR, Wed:
If you click to open the Malaysia Today website just now, you will be greeted by a smiling Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dressed in army fatigues, an obvious picture alteration to the Mel Gibson movie poster "We Were Soldiers."
The site, edited and owned by the controversial Raja Petra Kamarudin, was hacked since early this morning by a hacker simply known as Gasakdotnet.
The hack appeared to be a political statement alluding to Dr Mahathir's "battle" for his country when he was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, which also includes the tagline "My Countrymen, My Fellow Malaysian."
In the tradition of movie promotions, the hacked poster is drumming up support for a "movie now showing nationwide", another statement alluding to Dr Mahathir's series of lectures and meetings criticising the Prime Minister's policies and management style.
Malaysia Today is no stranger to hacks, which included earlier attacks that prevented surfers from viewing the site.
However, it may be possible for some surfers to enter the site without seeing the hacker's handiwork due to a process called caching, which is storage or retention of data that had been viewed much earlier.
But until 10pm tonight, the site is still down and there was no sign of Gasakdotnet's handiwork. Viewers are also directed the website's server default page.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Anwar: Proof on NAJIB soon !
Anwar: Proof on NAJIB soon !
from the star today:
KUALA LUMPUR: Evidence allegedly linking Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to murdered Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu will be released in the next few days.
“The next evidence will come in the next few days. Just be patient. This is not the end. I just want to test the nerve and commitment of the Prime Minister,” said PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He was taking questions from reporters at the press conference where private investigator P. Balasubramaniam – once hired by Abdul Razak Baginda – released a statutory declaration that alleged Najib’s involvement with Altantuya.
Anwar pointed out that when his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah met the Prime Minister in Parliament on Tuesday, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave the assurance that he would investigate Anwar’s recent police report against the Attorney-General (A-G) and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) about fabricating evidence in the 1998 infamous “black eye” incident.
Anwar, however, noted that just 10 minutes after Abdullah gave the assurance, he (Abdullah) told reporters he had full confidence in the A-G and IGP.
“So I don’t know what he means by giving that assurance because my police report involves these two key institutions and they had fabricated evidence against me,” he said.
Likening the latest allegation on the Altantuya case to the V.K. Lingam video-clip saga, Anwar said it was like a series in a Bollywood drama.
Anwar said he was not interested in the personal nature of a purported relationship between Najib and Altantuya because that was “his and her business.”
But what concerned him was Balasubramaniam’s allegations that the police had suppressed evidence, adding that “such suppression could have only happened with the full knowledge of top public officials such as the IGP and the A-G.”
“Suppression of information is a crime,” he charged.
He questioned whether the suppression of the evidence was also the reason behind the last minute switch in the deputy public prosecutor handling the case and the reason why the DPP – Salehuddin Saidin – had put in papers for early retirement.
He also questioned why the head of criminal division of the A-G’s chambers, Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden, was completely sidelined from the case.
He added there were also questions now why there was a sudden switching of the judge fixed to hear the case.
“Did Datuk Seri Najib lie when he said he had never met Altantuya before? Did Datuk Seri Najib lie when he said that he was not involved in any commission deals for the purchase of the Scorpene submarines,” he said.
Anwar alleged the revelations showed a “clear and consistent pattern of abuse of power and manipulation of the criminal justice system” which was evident during his case back in 1998 and this time too it involved the same people – Najib, A-G Tan Sri Gani Patail and IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
“These are serious implications for the administration of justice in the country where institutions like the police, A-G’s office and judiciary are already tarnished,” he said, calling for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
To a question, Anwar said he had reason to believe that Najib’s people had been aware that he (Anwar) had been in the process of obtaining a statutory declaration on the Altantuya case and this was what triggered the recent sodomy allegations against him by 23-year-old Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
He said these people were making a “big blunder” by accusing him of sodomy and that he had a strong alibi.
He also said his lawyer had advised him against saying more on the case and that he would reveal all in court.
PKR vice-president R. Sivarasah, who is a lawyer, said it was obvious now from Balasubramaniam’s statutory declaration that it would lead to a mistrial of the Altantuya case.
He said it was timely that Balasubramaniam had come forward with his sworn statement because it allows the prosecution to do something about it.
from the star today:
KUALA LUMPUR: Evidence allegedly linking Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to murdered Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu will be released in the next few days.
“The next evidence will come in the next few days. Just be patient. This is not the end. I just want to test the nerve and commitment of the Prime Minister,” said PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He was taking questions from reporters at the press conference where private investigator P. Balasubramaniam – once hired by Abdul Razak Baginda – released a statutory declaration that alleged Najib’s involvement with Altantuya.
Anwar pointed out that when his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah met the Prime Minister in Parliament on Tuesday, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave the assurance that he would investigate Anwar’s recent police report against the Attorney-General (A-G) and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) about fabricating evidence in the 1998 infamous “black eye” incident.
Anwar, however, noted that just 10 minutes after Abdullah gave the assurance, he (Abdullah) told reporters he had full confidence in the A-G and IGP.
“So I don’t know what he means by giving that assurance because my police report involves these two key institutions and they had fabricated evidence against me,” he said.
Likening the latest allegation on the Altantuya case to the V.K. Lingam video-clip saga, Anwar said it was like a series in a Bollywood drama.
Anwar said he was not interested in the personal nature of a purported relationship between Najib and Altantuya because that was “his and her business.”
But what concerned him was Balasubramaniam’s allegations that the police had suppressed evidence, adding that “such suppression could have only happened with the full knowledge of top public officials such as the IGP and the A-G.”
“Suppression of information is a crime,” he charged.
He questioned whether the suppression of the evidence was also the reason behind the last minute switch in the deputy public prosecutor handling the case and the reason why the DPP – Salehuddin Saidin – had put in papers for early retirement.
He also questioned why the head of criminal division of the A-G’s chambers, Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden, was completely sidelined from the case.
He added there were also questions now why there was a sudden switching of the judge fixed to hear the case.
“Did Datuk Seri Najib lie when he said he had never met Altantuya before? Did Datuk Seri Najib lie when he said that he was not involved in any commission deals for the purchase of the Scorpene submarines,” he said.
Anwar alleged the revelations showed a “clear and consistent pattern of abuse of power and manipulation of the criminal justice system” which was evident during his case back in 1998 and this time too it involved the same people – Najib, A-G Tan Sri Gani Patail and IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
“These are serious implications for the administration of justice in the country where institutions like the police, A-G’s office and judiciary are already tarnished,” he said, calling for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
To a question, Anwar said he had reason to believe that Najib’s people had been aware that he (Anwar) had been in the process of obtaining a statutory declaration on the Altantuya case and this was what triggered the recent sodomy allegations against him by 23-year-old Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
He said these people were making a “big blunder” by accusing him of sodomy and that he had a strong alibi.
He also said his lawyer had advised him against saying more on the case and that he would reveal all in court.
PKR vice-president R. Sivarasah, who is a lawyer, said it was obvious now from Balasubramaniam’s statutory declaration that it would lead to a mistrial of the Altantuya case.
He said it was timely that Balasubramaniam had come forward with his sworn statement because it allows the prosecution to do something about it.
2008 Edo Competition Lamborghini Gallardo SLE
(from Lamborghini Press Release) With the modified Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera edo competition Motorsport has now added a second high-profile Italian racer to its tuning program after the Murciélago LP 640. Like its bigger brother, this sports car with the bull in its logo excels through its highlighted racing genes and more aggressive appearance after being modified at edo competition.
The most remarkable feature is the sensational acceleration. edo competition achieves these figures thanks to the installation of a massive air box, high flow catalytic converters which are a completely new design and a recalibration of the engine electronics. All components together raise the power output to 560 hp (411 kW) at 8,250 rpm. The power increase of 30 hp / 22 kW boosts the top speed by about 6 km/h (4 mph) to 320 km/h (199 mph). Another highlight: The sound volume of the modified exhaust system can be adjusted via remote.
The sporty concept of the edo Gallardo Superleggera is rounded off with 19“ three-piece racing wheels with an artificially-aged cast center-section, hand-polished outer rims and 39 stainless steel screws.
The front wheels are shod in stock-sized or (on request) 245/35 ZR 19 rubber while 305/30 ZR 19 Dunlop Sport Maxx tires are used on the rear axle. With this solution edo competition enables its customers to reuse the factory tires on their new wheels.
edo competition treats the masculine stance of the Gallardo Superleggera to an additional testosterone injection by lowering the suspension by a good 15 mm and through the use of corner-weighting. With these upgrades, the Lambo sticks to the road so firmly and unflappably that it would take an earthquake to upset its poise.
Verdict from the July 2008 Autobild comparison test „Edo Gallardo / MTM R8“: „The edo Gallardo Superleggera is the more harmonic and better balanced car. Very quick, great to control and of the finest quality in all aspects”!
Engine V10
Power 560 hp / (411 kW) at 8250 rpm
Max. torque 540 Nm (398 ft-lb) at 6800 rpm
Performance
Top speed est. 320km/h (199 mph)
0 – 100 km/h (0 – 62 mph) 3.7 s
0 – 200 km/h (0 – 124 mph) 11.7 s
Features
Power increase to 560 hp via 200-cell high flow catalytic converter, carbon fiber air box and ECU recalibration
Exhaust sound level adjustable at the simple push of a button
Optional : 19“ three-piece racing wheels with an artificially-aged cast center-section, hand-polished outer rims and 39 stainless steel screws. Tire dimensions as stock or on request front: 245/ 35 ZR 19, rear 305/ 30 ZR 19 Dunlop Sport Maxx
Custom painted wheels on request
Tire pressure monitoring system displaying tire pressure and temperature for each wheel
Suspension lowering by 15 mm incl. corner-weighting
Side turn signals, smoked
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