How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

ISA: some proverbs come to mind

Many people are skeptical about the proposed abolition of the infamous ISA or Internal Security Act, despite the apparent rejoice of some in the mainstream media to show Najib as a reformist. But someone pointed out that had he done so within days of taking over as Prime Minister, then it would have been more credible than now.

Kim Quek described ISA as abominable and the proposed replacement of ISA with something similar as 'old wine in new bottle' and warned that the new anti-terrorist law could provide for even worse implementation judging from how anti-communist ISA was implemented by Umno in the past.

To me, changing from one abominable and detestable ISA to something which could be just as likely to be deliberately mis-implemented to attack political opponents and their supporters, the proverb 'out of the frying pan into the fire' comes to mind.

As to Najib's public relation exercise to improve his image with this so-called 'historic' act, which his Information Minister hinted days before as a 'major announcement' or something to that effect, without the support of Najib's Deputy and his Home Minister (the Minister responsible for ISA and its substitute), the Malays would describe it as 'syiok sendiri'. The Hokiens would describe such act as 'Chui kong lanpar song'. Again, this is for Hokiens to know and others to find out the literal meaning!

Kim Quek's article in CPI:
http://english.cpiasia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2247:forget-isa-abolition-zero-in-on-electoral-reform&catid=178:yong-thye-chong&Itemid=193


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