Time To Suppress Your Anger!

Every now and then, just when I think I've seen the worst, something comes along to prove me wrong.

Today's case in point is this notoriously ridiculous blog by the name of Marahku.

Forget that the blog owner attempts to decorate his blog with flames to give an aura of "anger". At least I think that is the intention.

Forget that trying to get a legitimate fact out of this blog is like finding a needle in a haystack.

If you have been following the attempts to discredit Haris Ibrahim, the owner of The People's Parliament, you would have been astounded to find that while Haris is able to present his facts from government sources, his detractors have had to rely on merely muddying the waters.

Anyone with half an education would be able to spot that.

But what was absolutely classic, is the statement, "Government is the work of saints coveted by fools".

I nearly died laughing.

Now, I may look at a lowly-paid social worker who lives in the slums in efforts to improve the welfare of those slum-dwellers and concede that he/she is a saint. Most people regard Mother Theresa of Calcutta as a saint, anyway.

But there is no way I could possible look at the Malaysian government (or any other government, for that matter) and call them saints.

Some say the best governments are the Scandinavian governments - they have really good welfare schemes, good healthcare, excellent infrastructure, a superior education system and well, the list goes on.

As for our government, they purchased submarines that refused to submerge. The Malaysian air force owns F5 aircraft of which engines were pilfered and then mysteriously returned after a stint in South America.

We have a police force that closed down some of its stations in crime-infested districts due to fears that it isn't safe for the cops themselves to be manning those stations.

We have highways that are jammed with traffic even though motorists are still forced to pay toll to use that highway.

Hey. We have a government that sprays chemical-laced water and tear-gasses citizens that publicly (but peacefully) oppose its nefarious regime.

With full knowledge of that, can one seriously say that government is the work of saints??

What Leads To A Dull And Rigid Environment?

A colleague of mine at work recently put up a sign that said, "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."

The Labour Department director-general is precisely that sort of stupidity personified.

The introduction of a sexual harassment statute could lead to a dull and rigid environment in the workplace.

-Labour Department director-general Datuk Ismail Abdul Rahim

Ah yes. Stupidity has no limits.

Quote Of The Day

I stumbled across this spectacular quote in Al-Jazeera, whose journalists evidently have a sardonic sense of humour.

The demonstrators had gathered in the Malaysian capital to protest against a security law that allows detention without trial, but were dispersed by police using water cannons and tear gas.

Omar denied that police action had been heavy handed, saying the authorities had used the "minimum amount of force".

"It was a standard procedure ... to disperse this crowd in Kuala Lumpur," he told Al Jazeera.

If this is "minimum amount of force", I would really hate to witness the "maximum" amount.

On The "Illegal Rallies"

The best part about Malaysian politics are the Quotable Quotes. :)

I honestly don't know how they make these statements with a straight face.

"To me, the illegal assembly will not only undermine internal security but also jeopardise the national economy.

"Are they trying to show (to the world) that this country is in disarray, this is not right," he told reporters when responding to the protest gathering at the British High Commission at Jalan Ampang on Sunday.

- Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan

I don't know, mate. I think you've single-handedly managed to show up the communist-dictatorship characteristics of your government.

We can't really call ourselves a democracy, and the last time I checked, few investors are thrilled with an unstable government like the one you work for.

"We have received information that there will be criminal activities taking place right up to Sunday’s gathering. From our intelligence gathering, we found that riots and fights had been planned. We are now taking precautionary measures."

- City police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin.

Intelligence? In Malaysia, "Police Intelligence" is an oxymoron. Pray, tell me, which little fly on the wall supplied that precious tidbit of information to you?

Hindraf's second appeal for a police permit was rejected as police intelligence showed racial issues and sensitivities of other races that could harm prevailing racial harmony would be highlighted at the assembly.

"We fear the gathering will spark racial friction leading to more serious crimes."

- City police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin.

You don't say! You mean, like waving the keris, shouting, "If you don't like it, get out of the country!" and claiming, "The Indians and Chinese bully the Malays"?

EU And Malaysian Ethnic Policies

I was revisiting some old issues which cropped up some months ago and I found some quotable quotes. :)

In Malaysian trade minister slams EU envoy's view on ethnic policies on EU business, Rafidah exhibits the foot-in-mouth disease.

EU ambassador Thierry Rommel had said Malaysia's attraction to foreign investment had weakened because of the education and economic policies favouring bumiputras at the expense of other groups.

Rafidah's responses:

"Mr Rommel doesn't know Malaysia or he has not bothered to find out."

And have you, ma'am?

"... He has always had this problem with his attitude," Rafidah told an audience of industry leaders and diplomats.

Now, now. Getting personal, are we? You seem to have quite a bit of an attitude problem yourself, ma'am.

"I would like to dismiss Mr Rommel's views. It is totally unwarranted. He really raised my blood pressure quite high," Rafidah said.

Blood pressure? I think we have more of an interest in the country's economy than in your blood pressure, ma'am. If you don't mind.