Food prices rise, eat less rice

I came back from Malaysia last night. And this morning I read this in the Star online.

Sunday April 27, 2008 MYT 7:25:49 PM
Food prices rise, eat less rice
By IAN McINTYRE

KOTA BARU: The Government will introduce a "holistic" package to deal with the global shortage of food commodities, including calling for a reduction in rice consumption.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said this in response to the Thai Government’s recent call for their people to reduce rice consumption to address the global increase in prices and acute shortage of staple foods.

"Each adult Malaysian consumes a per capita average of 77kg of rice per annum so there is room for a reduction by substituting it with a greater intake of vegetables and an emphasis on a health-conscious diet," he said after visiting the Merdeka padi scheme in Mulong with Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Musa.

“Our plan is to preserve the food supply chain not only for ourselves but for our grandchildren and future generations. We want a comprehensive and holistic package to address the acute shortage of food commodities supply and its rising global prices.”

Presently, Malaysia only produces about 70% of its rice needs, but the ministry wants to significantly increase production levels to ensure the country is self-sufficient within the next few years.

I am really lost for words. Speechless. These are the people that are still in government. Is that all they know? Petrol price goes up, they say use less petrol. Inflation goes up, change lifestyle. Now rice go up, eat less rice.

What kind of a government do we have? Do something lar. Not ask us to eat less. Maybe our MPs and PM should eat less as well, not just rice that is.

Still on GE2008

Been reading some articles lately. Mostly on the political situation in Malaysia. The news sound more juicy than a romantic fiction novel or even the Obama-Clinton challenge.

Everyday there are articles about either UMNO complaining about losing the states to Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Or MCA claiming DAP betrayed the Chinese. Or Gerakan asking the opposition to return the states to BN.

My thoughts on this is ... GET ON WITH LIFE! F**k you lar. You f**king lost the elections, not because the opposition cheated, not because your candidate filled up a wrong form, but because you all F**KED UP. You neglected the people. You threatened the people. You back stabbed people. And now you want to come crying. F**k you lar. Instead of working to make right where you went wrong, you are crying over spilled milk. It means you never learned a f**king thing. F**K YOU. You expect me to vote for you? F**K YOU.

Next we have UMNO members calling for the resignation of Pak Lah. Wow. Suddenly, everyone thinks he's wrong. Suddenly, everyone feels that he's not the person for the post. Where the f**k were you all during these 4 years? Where the f**k were you all when the keris was raised? As I recalled, most of you were cheering to the keris. Where were you when the people complained about inflation?

You never made so much of a sigh. You all were behind this person, backing him, saying what he did was right, supported him. Because you never thought what happened was WRONG. You believed all that it was RIGHT to raise the keris. You believed that corruption was RIGHT. You believed that bullying the non-malays were RIGHT. Now the same members or party leaders say he's wrong and you want him to resign? F**K YOU.

Anwar's predicament is actually rather interesting. The reason Anwar is so strong is probably due to UMNO or Dr. M's own doing. By kicking Anwar out or getting rid of him, they have actually made him a even more dangerous and powerful symbol. If he was still with UMNO, probably he would be surrounded by cronies, apple polishers, etc. Now, he is surrounded by people who believe in him, justice and hope, people who don't gain contracts or monies by supporting him, people who are willing to sacrifice and people who are non-malays. So, it can be said that Anwar is actually UMNO's own doing. How ironic.

What worries me even more is that there was so much promise painted before the election. Now it has been one and half month, yet nothing has happened apart from the bickering by the federal government and the components of the so-called ruling party. Instead of working with the so-called opposition-ruled states, they are conducting protests, calling for resignations, making threats, cutting of federal funds to the states, etc. It would seem that the ruling party is nothing but a sour puss with no regard at all for the welfare of the people.

If you really want to the people to vote for you, redeem yourselves and work towards making Malaysia a better place to live in & look after the rights of the people. But from what I have seen so far, nothing has changed. They have not learned their lesson, and they never will ...

Govt study: Youngsters just ain’t patriotic

An article in the star today states that a government study claims that youngsters aren't patriotic.

Govt study: Youngsters just ain’t patriotic
By IAN MCINTYRE

BACHOK: A recent Government study has revealed that patriotism levels among youth in the country have declined significantly and if left unchecked, could lead to serious consequences for nation building.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the revelation has forced the ministry to re-look its policy on how to engage youth.

The Government has admitted it has lost the support of youths and has been unable to reach out to the technology-savvy generation, he said.

“We need to adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. For starters, we need to re-instil patriotism in youths regardless of their ethnicity or religious backgrounds,'' he said during his inaugural working visit to the east coast state.

Earlier, he held dialogues with youth department officers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the youth skills institute here.

Ismail said the ministry would now be “result-orientated” with a specific goal of restoring confidence among the young in the Government.

This would include the ministry setting up its own blog as well as channelling funds directly to all youth associations, including youth-based NGOs in the country.

“We have decided to reduce bureaucracy. From now on, all funding for youth NGOs and associations will come directly from the ministry.

“We would ensure the grassroots have funds to conduct activities for youths,” he said.

Character-building programmes that instil patriotism are also needed to shore up support among youths, Ismail said.

Have the government ever thought what led to the decline in the patriotism in the youths? Do they blame the youths? I would say blame the government themselves. What have they done to instill patriotism in the youths? A lot of youths don't even know what the rukun negara is.

Frankly, the government isn't helping much but is worsening the situation. Stretching the divides among racial lines. Claiming Malaysia to be an islamic state. Demolishing temples. Raising the keris. Discriminating students in the University. All these are just the right moves to boosting patriotism among youths.

I am beginning to wonder why they claim the youth are not patriotic. Is it because of their poor election results? They claim the youths did not vote for them, so they must be patriotic. If so, then I say F**K YOU!!! I would say the youths are more patriotic then you know. Voting for the opposition party and helping to shape the country for a better future. The youths are more matured then you think.

Please remember, to instill patriotism in Malaysian youths is to instill the pride of being a Malaysian. Satu bangsa Malaysia. One nation one Malaysia. Not segregating among racial divides. It's time the government wake up and start acting as one, if they still intend on being one.

I m bored, really bored!

It's Saturday. I should be at home sleeping, or watching TV, or reading the newspaper, or surfing the net (ok, i am doing that), instead, I am stuck at work now.

I was supposed to be off today. Was planning to enjoy my weekend in SG. Been going back to PJ nearly every weekend to see my kid. This week, I thought I would get some rest as I had fallen sick for the past few weeks.

Well, it all started during a meeting at 5pm yesterday. 5pm!!! I get off work at 5pm, supposedly. Anyway, another colleague of mine promised something to the bosses that involved me. So, he asked if I could come in today to settle with him.

Being the nice guy (and also bcoz my bosses were at the meeting as well) I agreed. Then he said, he could only come in the afternoon! I said, never mind, I will wait for you. I told him to come as early as possible.

I woke up late today, and came to work half drowsy. Who would have thought, he called me up at around 10am. Said he can't make it today!!! He asked for some info and said he will pass the work to me on Monday!!!

So, I am still stuck here in the office, thinking what to do. Should I go home? Should I go catch a movie? BTW, it's raining outside and I cannot leave. Hmmmm ....

Bored? Smack the penguin ...

It's Monday. Just came back from PJ last night. Fell sick over the weekend. Still suffering from a bad cough, sore throat and no-mood-to-work syndrome.

Now I am just feeling bored and waiting to go home. Then I got this website. Cured some of my boredom and did some exercise as well.

If you are feeling bored and lazy to work out. Have a go.link

A lighter side

With the recent elections everyone has been on the serious side of things, wondering what is happening to our country.

Taking some time off, let me share with you some interesting pix I got from e-mails.

There are no small mistakes in our business!

I have always wondered what the arrows were for

I KNOW you have a merz...

Looks like our PM's son in law have ventured into a new business

BN's biggest mistake: Ignoring the Internet

I was reading this article in MyPaper here in SG. Could not get a link to the article. But the header was "We lost the internet war" with a picture of Pak Lah.

Luckily, Malaysia Today had an article in the Straits Times in SG with a similar article. Enjoy reading it.

THE STRAITS TIMES

BARISAN Nasional's 'biggest mistake' in the disastrous elections was to ignore cyber-campaigning on the Internet, said Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi yesterday in an unusual acknowledgment of the reach of cyberspace.

'We certainly lost the Internet war, the cyber-war,' he said. 'It was a serious misjudgment. We made the biggest mistake in thinking that it was not important.'

Datuk Seri Abdullah credited blogs, news websites and SMS messages as media to which many voters and opposition candidates had turned to, when they felt the mainstream media was not giving them the information they sought.

Malaysia's mainstream media are mostly part-owned by parties in the ruling BN coalition, and what was seen as biased coverage in the run-up to the March 8 vote alienated voters and boosted demand for alternative news sources.

'We thought that the newspapers, the print media, the television were supposed to be important, but the young people were looking at SMS and blogs,' said PM Abdullah.

His comments yesterday are a major about-face for the government, which had vilified bloggers, calling them liars and threatening them with detention without trial under draconian internal security laws.

Also yesterday, the Prime Minister also promised to, among other things, reform the economy, keep fuel prices stable and ease the burden of low-income earners, in an apparent bid to win back support for the ruling coalition after its poor showing at the polls.

In his keynote address at the Invest Malaysia 2008 Conference, he unveiled a three-point plan which includes measures to help poorer households and to mitigate the impact of rising world oil prices.

The government, he said, would hold fuel prices and electricity tariffs at their current levels.

'Whatever the present price, we have to live with it,' he added, while noting that there was a limit to controlling prices.

Yesterday, Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop also said gas prices would be kept stable, adding: 'There is no decision to increase gas price at this point of time.'

PM Abdullah also pledged to push ahead with economic reforms, noting that this was what voters had wanted.

'The result of the election was a strong message that I have not moved fast enough in pushing through with the reforms that I promised to undertake,' he said.

'I thank the Malaysian people for this message: point well made and point taken.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BERNAMA
PM ABDULLAH ON MEDIA COVERAGE DURING THE ELECTIONS

'We certainly lost the Internet war, the cyber-war. We thought that the newspapers, the print media, the television were supposed to be important, but the young people were looking at SMS and blogs. It was a very, very serious mistake on our part. It was painful...but it came at the right time, not too late.'
ON ECONOMIC REFORMS

'The result of the election was a strong message that I have not moved fast enough in pushing through with the reforms that I promised to undertake. I thank the Malaysian people for this message: point well made and point taken.'
ON A NEW TERENGGANU MENTERI BESAR

'I will certainly be meeting with the Tuanku (the king, in the photo below). There are people who are exploiting this situation for their own means, for their own objectives, bringing about a lot of confusion into this matter.'

The article is not as subtle as the one in MyPaper. But the gist is that Pak Lah thinks he thinks BN lost is because he ignored the internet. He could NOT control the information flowing on the net. He could NOT hide the truth from the people. He could NOT spread propaganda to the people.

So, they DID NOT lose because of UMNO Youth waving the keris. Nor did they lose because of the corruption in the country. Nor did they lose because of the rising inflation and cost of living. Nor did they lose because the people got fed up. They merely lost because they ignore the internet.

What the F***? And we thought they had learned their lesson. Well it would seem that someone is still sleeping and he is not waking up for a long long time.

Wasting Water? I don't think so.

Fell sick over the weekend. Could not update that much. Still recovering. Bad flu, cough n sore throat.

Decided to read the Star online and found this article.

I found this part to be particularly interesting.

Shaziman also said that the Selangor Government's decision to waive charges for the first 20 cubic metres of water used by households was not a good idea, as people would tend to waste water.

In fact, he said, the water usage in Selangor, which was about 240 litres per person, was higher than the national average of 180 litres.

"Free water will encourage people to waste water, a vital commodity that Selangor would be facing a critical shortage of; and that is why the Government decided on the water transfer project from Pahang to Selangor," he said.

He said the new state government had not presented the ministry with a concrete proposal on the free water, adding that such plans would be feasible if the "state government has tonnes of money."

Free water encourages wastage. An average household uses 180 liters and by giving me 20 liters free, we will start wasting it? What the heck is he talking about?

If you use 240 liters a month and someone gives u 10% extra, will you go ecstatic and start pouring water into the drains. This move is intended to help the people lower their cost of living. Even how low it may be, it stills helps. It does not encourage me to throw water away or go out and spend like there's no tomorrow.

He is really starting to sound like an opposition, opposing anything the other proposes. Or maybe it is too little for him to feel the pinch. Think of the little people. Perhaps that's why they lost the elections, they didn't think of the people.

New Cabinet List is out!

Malaysia's new cabinet list is out. Quite a few surprises as well.

First to note, Khairy is not in the line up. The son-in-law of the PM is not appointed a Minister. Pak Lah must have got it into his senses. Not much of a choice for him actually. Appoint Khairy and face rebellion or stay on as PM.

Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz (former International Trade and Industry Minister) has been dropped from the lineup. There were rumours that BN wants to pave way for new blood and she may be a casualty. Frankly, I think it's a stupid move. She is a woman with caliber and holds the position well. Big mistake!

Nazri, the former de-facto minister of law is still around. Pak Lah has not woke up yet. At least Nazri can still humour us with his stupid comments.

Surprisingly, Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim has been appointed a minister in the PM's dept. A good move considering Zaid background. Zaid has been very verbal about UMNO's policies. His appointment may just tick off a few UMNO warlords.

Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib was made Rural and Regional Development Minister. Now that's a BIG surprise. Muhd son of Muhd made a minister again. What a comeback. What a stupid move for Pak Lah. The man with so many scandals and corruption accusations is being made a minister in a lineup that is supposed to change for the better?

MCA retain their few ministries. No surprises. MIC gets one Ministry, not Works but Human Resources. Paves the way for Subramaniam to challenge old Sam for party president.

The Malay Votes DAP!

Was reading Malaysia Today's and found this beautiful article. Nicely written. I just hope the people it was meant for reads it.

Can you imagine, Malays who for a life time being told that their enemy comes in the shape of the red Rocket, putting an "X" against the Rocket? It must have been the hardest thing to do for many of them, if not most. And yet they did it.

Paul Warren

Kit has still not got around to feeling like DAP is now government. He still thinks he has to oppose everything!

Kit has to realise that the DAP's role for now and for the remaining five years is to address the senses and sensivities of all those Malays who voted for DAP, the red Rocket.

Can you imagine, Malays who for a life time being told that their enemy comes in the shape of the red Rocket, putting an "X" against the Rocket? It must have been the hardest thing to do for many of them, if not most. And yet they did it.

If Kit lacks imagination let me help him see better.

Just look at the ordinary Malay who had for a life time been supporting UMNO and looked upon UMNO as his personal saviour.

Ever since 2004 he has been finding himself in a state of confusion, and he was unable to voice it lest he be called a traitor to the race. Yet the arrogance, the lies and the failures of his leaders were not lost on him. The unsympathetic attitude towards the non-Malays, he too noted. He did know that this was not part of the Malay culture.

Leading up to 8 March, he was reduced to embarrassment for his race if the behaviour of UMNO and its leaders was what UMNO represented.

He is angry now too. So angry that he will give the devil a hearing. But he knows in his heart that its a river fraught with uncertainty, more so, one that may put his race and religious leanings on an unknown plateau. But he has to cross it.

He wakes up in the morning for his morning prayer, having had such a restless night. He pleads to his Allah to just consume him completely so that he need not feel the guilt of casting his vote for that kafir Rocket. He even sheds a tear for he knows what he has to do.

He tries, but breakfast is just so hard to swallow. He feels the hollow in his gut and the shortness of breath. Takes his shower, puts on his best and like the condemned who steps out for the last time from his cell to be hung, he steps out of his house. Even asking to be forgiven for his actions.

The way to the polling station is just a stoid blank. All that he knows is that he may have been UMNO or a PAS supporter all his life. They are of his kind. The Rocket represents gambling, alcohol, pork, chauvinism. That is what he has been told and that is all that he has believed. And yet there is something from deep within that tells him he must.

Now he goes through the gates of the polling station. Enquires and determines the classroom he has to cast his vote in. He prepares to get his wallet out to retreive his MyKad. His hands shiver. He is unable to apply pressure on his MyKad to pinch and pull it out of the wallet.

He takes a deep breath and utters a prayer. Manages to pull out the MyKad. He puts the wallet in his back pocket. Looks up to the classroom. Another deep breath. Wills himself to walk. He is not thinking anymore. His head is spinning. What he has set himself to do goes against everything he has known about himself and his place in this God given land.

He cannot think anymore. He can feel a dampness in his eyes. He knows why he is grieving. He just does not know if he indeed is the personification of Judas or Brutus. Judas, maybe not. He has not received his 30 pieces of silver. No one offered. But Brutus?

He is begining to feel his leg shiver. Then go jelly. He does not feel the concrete under his feet. He has to go up the stairs to his polling station. He grabs hold of the hand rail. For the first time he needs support and for the first time he recognises and acknowledges his trepidation.

Takes another deep breath, and summons all his strength to walk up the two flights of steps briskly. Approches the entrance to the classroom. Does not look at or acknowledge the policeman sitting at the door. He catches his breath. His heart is heavy. His mind a blank. He is on auto-pilot.

There is just one person queing ahead of him. Just darkness in his mind. But then again coming right up to here he has not really considered the consequences of his actions. He now sees himself accused the traitor of the community. He sees himself approaching Allah upon his death. He is lost for words to account for his actions. He needs time to reconsider. He has not looked at all the issues and the factors. But it is now his turn. It is too late.

He can feel his throat becoming dry. There is shortness of breath. There is anxiety. Hands over his I/C and that BN issued card that sets out his Electoral Roll details. He does not hear the SPR official call out his 4 digit Polling Station number. He does not hear his name. Here on he is on auto pilot. Nothing registers. Takes the ballot paper that is handed to him. Halts and takes a look at it. He just cannot read anything. He just looks at the symbols. The "dacing", and below that the Rocket and what looks like a strange Chinese name.

He just cannot feel anything now. He walks towards the polling booth. He is almost blinded. He is in a state of confusion. Its contradicting and conflicting emotions. One last time he does not feel the concrete below him. His legs are like jelly and it is like as if there is a force that is providing him motion. It is not him anymore. He has turned into his booth. He sees the black leaded pencil. Stares at it. The final stabbing. Hesitantly he picks up the pencil and takes a look at it. Brutus' dagger!

He puts the ballot paper flat on the school desk. Its a primary school. The desk top is even lower. He stoops and takes one last look at the ballot paper. He sees the dacing.

There is adrenaline. His blood is pumping. He feels the energy. The energy of betrayal. Not his. UMNOs! His eyes are burning with anger. He knows it is not him but it is UMNO that has destroyed all traces of what he knows to be a Malay. It is not about ketuanan. It is not about bullying. It is not about being inhospitable. It is not about being arrogant. It is not about being deceitful. It is not about being corrupt. It is not about being liars. It is not about being cheaters. And certainly it is not about arrogance. We are humble people.

His blood boils. He is an angry man. For himself. His country. His race. His religion. His family. His community. He feels cheated. By UMNO.

Takes one last look. His hands go straight to the bottom of the ballot. The empty square next to the rocket is his target. He presses hard on the pencil so that he makes a deep impression. Top left to bottom right he draws the first line. Then from the bottom left to the top right he crosses the first. It is to DAP. The deed is done. Ceaser, is slain!

Puts down the pencil. The deed is done. He does not want to look. He folds the ballot paper through misty eyes. First one. Then another fold.

There is a certain sense of peace. The rush of adrenaline has quietened. The warm to hot sensation is quickly being replaced by an uncanny coldness. Cold sweat!

Takes a step back. Looks straight ahead at the transparent ballot box. Gives it a sceptic's snigger. Walks straight up. But the walk is heavy. Each step is heavy. He feels the hardness of the concrete. Drops it and watches it as it reaches the pile of ballots already in there. Somehow he knows that he is not all alone. Those other ballots are those from his friends and neighbours. No, they did not speak about who they were going to vote for. They had not colluded. It has all come together. No. They had also not gone to any DAP ceramahs either. They only debated about UMNO. There was hardly any discussion about the DAP. The red Rocket! The demon!

Takes a deep breath and with a sigh of relief that the deed is done, he moves out unsure, confused, lost. But he only has one thing to console him. It needed to be done.

He goes home. Quiet. Recoiled and in deep thought about what he has done. He does not speak or acknowledge anyone. He can't afford to look at another in his or her eye. But then the other is also lost in the same dilemma. Yet unable to share. This is a burden he has to carry himself.

The night of the results, he waits anxiously. He worries and is sad to see the walls of Jericho crumbling. He is silent. He has no opinions. Then it is the Parlimentary and State Constituency that he voted in. There is a buzz in his ears. He just does not register. There is not a celebration. His wife, teenaged children, they are shocked. They look fearfully anxious. There is despair in the air. Almost coming to tears. He looks at them starring at them questioningly. They can see that he did not register. They all are looking at him like as if they have seen a ghost.

Then the young one comes up to him, hesitating, quivering and almost in tears. Takes hold of the wooden arm of the rattan chair. "Pak. Pak. DAP menang, UMNO kalah. UMNO kalah."

Long pause. Silence. Everyone look at him with wide open eyes for a response. They wait.

"Inshiallah".

He does not speak a word. He gets up. He goes to the bedroom. Closes the door. Pulls out his prayer rug. Goes down on the floor. Tears in his eyes. Is it a prayer of thanksgiving? Is it a prayer of despair? Is it a prayer of anxiety?

I don't know. I shall never know.

I am not Malay. I am Bangsa Malaysia. But tears are welling up in my eyes as I write this last bit.

Lim Kit Siang. I do hope you read this!

Maybe Mr. Lim Kit Siang should really take heed. Try to listen to what the people are saying now. Perhaps this blog best tells it.