"Wake Me Up When September Ends"

Summer has come and passed

the innocent can never last

wake me up when September ends

like my father's come to pass

seven years has gone so fast

wake me up when September ends

here comes the rain again falling from the stars

drenched in my pain again

becoming who we are

as my memory rests

but never forgets what I lost

wake me up when September ends

Summer has come and passed

the innocent can never last

wake me up when September ends

ring out the bells again

like we did when spring began

wake me up when September ends

here comes the rain again falling from the stars

drenched in my pain again

becoming who we are

as my memory rests

but never forgets what I lost

wake me up when September ends

Summer has come and passed

the innocent can never last

wake me up when September ends

like my father's come to pass

twenty years has gone so fast

wake me up when September ends

wake me up when September ends

 wake me up when September ends

Raja Petra vows to die in silence if re-arrested

Rebel blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin has vowed to die in silence as a sign of protest if he is re-arrested on what many believe are politically motivated grounds. His pledge came as a court was due to rule whether he is to return to prison under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA),

Raja Petra, who has risen to prominence as a pro-opposition blogger, was arrested on 12 September after accusations lodged by several religious groups who claim that he offended Islam in an article published on 8 August.

He was released on 7 November last year but the government has appealed the court decision and a verdict is expected on Tuesday (today –ed.).

“I shall no longer open my mouth or utter one word during my detention. I shall maintain the silence of a mute person. I shall not sign any documents of the so many documents that they make you sign when under detention," he said.

"My signature is not going to be placed on a single shred of paper,” he wrote in his blog, ‘Malaysia Today’ acknowledging that the move could have dire consequences.

”I shall refuse all medical treatment and visits to the hospital. I shall refuse to accept any food and water supplied by the authorities.

"I shall refuse to leave my cell or to meet any of the prison authorities. In short, I shall shut myself out from the world and keep to my own world of my eight feet square cell.

“This action will mean I shall survive at the most seven to eight days,” he added.

Raja Petra blamed deputy prime minister Najib Razak for his arrest and for what he calls his political persecution.

Najib has been among Raja Petra’s main targets in his blog.

In his most controversial article “Let’s Send Altantuya’s Murderers to Hell”, published on 25 April, Raja Petra said that Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, were involved in the killing of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Translator and former model, the Mongolia-born Shaariibuu, 28, was shot twice in the head, and her body was blown up with explosives, in a jungle outside Kuala Lumpur in October, 2006.

“I am totally sure that Najib (Razak) is involved. And at the very least, he should be investigated,” Raja Petra told Adnkronos International (AKI).

““I am aware that I have raised the stakes with this article and I am prepared to go all the way,” he added.

Najib has denied any involvement in the case and has sworn at a mosque that he never met Shaariibuu. He has also denied any involvement in the arrest of Raja Petra.

The ISA was inherited by Malaysia after it gained independence from Britain in 1957. In essence, it allows for the arrest of any person without the need for trial in certain circumstances. – AKI via DSAI

George Clooney smitten by Fatima Bhutto

Hollywood's most eligible bachelor may be about to be taken off the market - by a member of Pakistan's greatest political dynasty.

George Clooney is known for dating cocktail waitresses, actresses and models - and is famous for betting on his own bachelorhood.

Fatima Bhutto is the niece of slain Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto - a 'brainy foreign beauty' 21 years younger than the actor, who is 47.

Fatima Bhutto is a poet and journalist who lives with her brother and stepmother in Karachi. – DM pix

But an American report that, despite the odds, the pair are embroiled in a secret affair, has thrown all of Pakistan into a frenzy.

The National Enquirer claimed Clooney is smitten by the 26-year-old Bhutto, an outspoken poet and journalist who lives with her brother and step-mother in a Karachi suburb.

'George has courted her by phone and email, and arranged to meet her abroad when their schedules allowed,' a friend of the actor's told the Enquirer.

'Now he wants her to spend time with him in Hollywood.

'He's still out there with his usual assortment of eye candy hanging from his arm.

But George insists those days could be coming to an end if Fatima wants to take their relationship to the next level.'

But the eye candy and the long distance may not be the biggest stumbling block that Clooney faces in his quest to get the girl.

Fatima Bhutto was also said to believe their age differences made any relationship 'impractical'.

She was educated at New York's prestigious Columbia University and well aware of Clooney's heart throb status before they met, the newspaper reported.

'But she didn't take his advances seriously because she thought their age difference would make a serious relationship impractical,' it claimed.

However Clooney's profound interest in world affairs - which has often carried him into the political realm - may provide him and Bhutto with some common ground.

Fatima is reported to be contesting her late aunt's former seat in the Larkana constituency in the next elections.

She is also a prominent intellectual who has published a book of poetry, The Whispers of the Desert, and a memoir of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.

And her journalist background - she often writes newspaper columns criticizing Pakistan's government - will strike a chord with Clooney, whose father Nick Clooney is a famous newspaper reporter and politician in the United States. – DM via NST

Muslim nations can overcome 'negative image'

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the biggest threat faced by Muslim countries today is that they are often associated with terrorism and deviationist movements.

He said this was made worse by the fact that anti-Islamic countries and the superpowers painted a negative image of Muslim countries.

"The Muslim community has always been linked with terrorism, more so after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

"No matter what Muslims do, they've always had a battered image," he said when closing the Sarawak Islamic Congress here last night.

Najib said the image problem was compounded when many Muslim communities in the world were labelled poor and backward.

He said Muslim countries had become weak and were not as united as before, particularly since many of them had become victims of war, such as the Palestinians in Gaza.

The deputy prime minister outlined four factors which could help Muslims handle challenges.

First, he said, was human capital development through education and knowledge.

"Muslim countries must have a generation that is intelligent and wise, just as it is mentioned in the Quran. Only then will they be able to build a great civilisation."

The second, he said, was the fighting spirit among the younger generation. He called on Islamic leaders to come forward and lead the way for the young.

"The third is that Muslims do not realise their full economic potential. They must pursue this aggressively and be competitive, especially in trade and industry."

The fourth factor, he said, was that Muslims must improve their work ethics and life practices in accordance with the values of honesty and integrity as espoused by Islam. – text: NST

'Leaders must formulate goals, objectives well'

Leaders of the public sector must identify well-formulated goals or objectives and constantly articulate them repeatedly to get everyone to work in the same direction.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said when making recommendations, they must stick to the ones with the biggest payoffs.

"Firstly, when thinking of solutions, think of the elevator speech -- the solution should be so crisp and clear that you can explain it to someone in a 30-second elevator ride.

"Secondly, leaders must be able to energise people to get things accomplished and allow them to solve the most vexing problems."

Najib said the coming decades were periods to lay the foundation for substantial growth and change.
He said this in a speech, read by International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, at the closing of the "Public Sector Young Executive Conference" at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday.

The two-day conference was opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday.

Najib said qualitative case analysis as well as rigorous studies were beginning to provide leaders with knowledge to allow them to bring forth and effectively address key issues. [like this Perakmen: a fait accompli -ed.]

He said it was his observation that the leadership in the public sector was now facing an array of daunting challenges, including inverse global competition, changing demographics, issues of integrity and accountability, political aberrations and those relating to risky human behaviours.

"While we are slowly working from differences to similarities, the challenges are not minimised but, in fact, becoming more complex."

Therefore, Najib said, the leadership in the public sector must be about handling information and knowledge to achieve competitive advantage and effectiveness.

He added that the skill to envision various alternatives, expected or otherwise, was not a luxury anymore.

"The idiom of thinking outside the box should become a matter of habit to facilitate creativity which will help towards realising wisdom.

"We have to be both smart and wise to display a successful public sector leadership to face the challenges of a globalised world." -- text: NST

Be the first to know, Microsoft-backed celebrity news website unveiled

Microsoft plunged into the crowded field of online entertainment and celebrity news on Thursday, taking the wraps off a new website known as Wonderwall.

Wonderwall.com is a joint venture between MSN, the Internet arm of the US software giant, and BermanBraun Interactive, a media company based in Santa Monica, California.

"Wonderwall offers people an engaging and visually dynamic perspective on the day's hottest pop culture stories, personalities and trends," MSN and BermanBraun said in a statement.

The main feature of Wonderwall.com is a nearly full-screen wall of pictures with links to stories, photo galleries and video.

The wall can be scrolled horizontally, an experience MSN and BermanBraun likened to "flipping through a favorite magazine."

The site features a feed of the latest celebrity news and categories such as "Top Celebs" and "LOL Pics," the "funniest photos of celebs from around the Web."

"Wonderwall offers a clever, thought-provoking and amusing voice to fans of celebrity and is a great addition to MSN's portfolio of entertainment content," said Rob Bennett, general manager of network programming for MSN.

Entertainment and celebrity news are among the most popular subjects for Web surfers and Wonderwall will be competing for audience with sites such as TMZ.com, people.com and perezhilton.com, to name just a few. -- Agence France-Presse - 2/5/2009 6:56 PM GMT

Politikus at Malaysiakini! This is now a fait accompli.

Pix: Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin surrounded by supporters on what may his last night in the Menteri Besar's official residence. On his right is the DAP's Ronnie Liu

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin made a burning pledge Thursday night “to fight to his last drop of blood” as he addressed more than ten thousand supporters at the compound of his official residence as a crescendo of horns could be heard blaring from motorists outside in support.

“This will be where Najib will be buried,” he told the cheering crowd, referring to deputy Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s role in yesterday’s power grab.

pix: Datuk Seri Najib Razak – “hahihu… We have the numbers.”

“I was forced to seek dissolution of the state assembly as the Election Commission would not conduct the by-elections. Then I was asked to resign.

“I will keep fighting,” said the normally impassive Nizar.

Nizar added that he would boycott Friday’s swearing-in ceremony of the Barisan Nasional (BN) mentri besar.

Instead, he will attend special prayers at the Ubudiah mosque next to the royal palace in Kuala Kangsar.

Shouts of Allahuakbar rang out throughout the rally last night amid a light drizzle at the mentri besar’s residence here as thousands of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supporters turned up for a public rally in support of the embattled Nizar.

There is strong police presence outside the house, just a stone’s throw from the Umno building and the Istana Kinta, but this did not stop the public from turning up, causing a massive traffic jam in the city.

Earlier, various PR leaders addressed the crowd, but their rhetoric was frequently drowned out by the roars of the supporters.

Many supporters were seen carrying banners calling for the dissolution of the state assembly and for power to be returned to the people.

But despite accusing the Barisan Nasional (BN) of executing a coup, the loss of the state government is already a fait accompli as Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, the BN assemblyman for Pangkor, is already preparing to be sworn in today at 3.30pm in Kuala Kangsar ~ MORE TMI

Zambry Promises To Return Calm And Harmony To Perak

Perak Menteri Besar designate Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir (pix) has promised to return calm and harmony to the state.

Zambry, who thanked the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, for consenting the appointment and having the confidence in him to hold the post, regarded the new responsibility as a trust to be shouldered with good leadership.

"I will uphold the trust to the best of my ability. I also thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also the Perak Umno liaison chief, and my colleagues in Barisan Nasional (BN) for their support," he told reporters here on Thursday night.

Zambry, who is the Pangkor assemblyman, hoped his appointment as Menteri Besar would not become an issue or create a difficult situation in Perak.

Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, the prime minister announced that the Sultan of Perak had consented the appointment of Zambry as Perak's next Menteri Besar.

Abdullah also said that Zambry would be sworn in as the 11th Menteri Besar at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar at 3.30pm on Friday.

Zambry's appointment was made after Sultan Azlan Shah ordered that Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and his state executive councillors to resign from their posts with immediate effect after the Sultan met with all the 28 BN state assemblymen and three Independent assemblymen who had declared their support for BN.

The Sultan was convinced that Mohammad Nizar had ceased to receive the support of the majority of the Perak state assemblymen.

Anwar says Pakatan not going against the palace

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Perak Menteri Besar’s refusal to resign despite the request by Sultan Azlan Shah did not mean Pakatan Rakyat was on a collision course with the Perak palace.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, hands clasped, deliberates about Perak's state of affairs in Pakatan Rakyat’s press conference in Ipoh today. Perak Menteri Besar — for now — Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin on his left looks on for inspiration. The coming hours will be crucial in deciding the fate of the silver state. — pic by Choo Choy May

“Considering the spirit of constitutional monarchy and Parliamentary democracy, this takover if allowed will be a disaster to the democratic system,” Anwar told reporters after a meeting with PR leaders.

He added that only a dissolution of the state assembly and a state-wide election would solve the problem.

On the order by the state secretariat for the leaders to vacate the building, Anwar described the action as abnormal.

“The MB has not resigned, has not been dismissed. It is abnormal under the so-called democratic system,” he added.

DAP’s Lim Kit Siang described the takeover attempt by BN as a coup led by Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“A month before Najib becomes the sixth Prime Minister, but today he has launched a coup d'état,” said Lim adding that Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin was still the Menteri Besar.

“The PR government is still legitimate. This takeover is illegal and unconstitutional,” said the Ipoh Timor MP.

Earlier today Nizar was ordered to resign by the ruler as he was deemed to have lost the support of the majority of the state’s lawmakers.

The government has however refused to step down saying that BN has no majority in the assembly, claiming that the three independents who back the coalition have resigned as legislators. -- By Adib Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider

Pakatan plans mammoth gathering in Ipoh to rally support

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is planning a mammoth public gathering in front of the Perak mentri besar’s residence tomorrow in what is surely the last throw of the dice to head off the formation of a new state government by Barisan Nasional (BN).

A new BN government is looking all but certain now after the defections of four assemblymen from the PR alliance in Perak today.

“We are trying to mobilise a crowd of over 50,000 people for tomorrow night.

“This will be the start of the public’s support for Pakatan Rakyat,” read a text message sent by an aide to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tonight.

The plans for a mammoth rally come after a dramatic day where Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin tried to obtain consent from the Peral Sultan to dissolve the state assembly.

He failed to get an immediate answer from Sultan Azlan Shah.

But any plans to convince the state ruler with a public rally may well be moot if he consents to BN forming a state government tomorrow morning.

Deputy Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also Perak BN chief, is expected to be granted an audience by Sultan Azlan Shah tomorrow morning.

During the meeting, Najib will make the case for BN to form a new government to end the political uncertainties in the state.

the star pix: We have the numbers

Najib made the claim for the power grab today after announcing the state BN coalition now had 28 members of the state legislature, the same as PR, but it also had the backing of three independents whom are likely to join one of the parties of the ruling coalition soon.

If the Sultan does not give an immediate answer tomorrow, it will open the door for PR to use a public rally to try to convince the ruler to dissolve the assembly.

PR leaders feel that fresh elections will be their best bet for survival as they are confident of getting a convincing mandate from voters. - The Malaysian Insider

No defections!.. in response to Malaysiakini's report

Nine members of the state Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) yesterday declared their loyalty to Umno and the BN and said that there would be no defecting to any opposition party.

State BBC chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the club fully supported the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

"We also warn Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Pas and DAP, along with their agents, not to spread rumours or allegations in relation to defections.

"Our loyalty and integrity will not be compromised by any party and we will remain loyal to the BN and state government."

pix: Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (second from left) with members of the state Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club

Apart from Zainal, who is the Sungai Lui sssemblyman, the other state BBC members are Datuk Roslan Md Yusof (Johol); Datuk Dr Awaludin Said (Kota); Datuk Mohd Kamil Abd Aziz (Gemencheh); Datuk Aziz Shamsuddin (Palong); Mustafa Salim (Lenggeng); Adnan Abu Hassan (Pilah); Zaifulbahri Idris (Chembong) and Azman Mohammad Noor (Bagan Pinang).

Mohamad, who is also state BN chairman, said he hoped the declaration by the BBC members would put to rest any speculation that state BN members were defecting to the opposition.

"I hope this issue will end here and not be prolonged. This is the time for us to work and implement all that we promised during the general election.

"I also hope the public will remain confident in the state Barisan leadership and help us bring greater development and progress to the state."

On a statement by Seremban Umno division chief Datuk Ishak Ismail in Internet news portal Malaysiakini predicting that three assemblymen in the state would defect, Mohamad said: "As Umno members, we must do our part to put an end to rumours and allegations which will destroy our party.

"We will discuss what he said at our next meeting before bringing it up to party headquarters for further action."

Malaysiakini had quoted Ishak as saying that Aziz, Mustafa and state executive councillor Shamsulkahar Mohd Deli would defect, with Aziz being the most likely.

All three have denied the allegations. – nst

“I will not come to Davos again.”

Erdogan was angry when a panel moderator cut off his remarks, which were in response to Peres’ impassioned speech defending Israel’s offensive.

“I find it very sad that people applaud what you said,” Erdogan said. “You killed people. And I think that it is very wrong.”

The angry exchange followed an hour-long debate at the forum attended by world leaders.

Erdogan tried to rebut Peres as the discussion was ending, asking the moderator, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, to let him speak once more. “Only a minute,” Ignatius replied.

“Mr. Peres, you are older than me. Your voice is too loud,” Erdogan told Peres, saying his emotion belied a guilty conscience.

“You kill people,” Erdogan told the 85-year-old Israeli leader.

“I remember the children who died on beaches. I remember two former prime ministers who said they felt very happy when they were able to enter Palestine on tanks.

“When it comes to killing, you know it too well,” the Turkish leader said.

When the moderator tried to cut short Erdogan’s remarks again, saying that it was past time to adjourn for dinner, he answered, “Don’t interrupt me. You are not allowing me to speak.”

He then said: “I will not come to Davos again.” -- The Buffalo News via Penarik Beca

BN has rest of the match to score

IN recent days, Pakatan Rakyat has been blowing its own trumpet over the defection of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim to Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

So sweet was the "victory" that even PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the cross-over as a significant milestone on the road to change.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin announced the possibility of three more Umno assemblymen jumping ship.

While he cannot be blamed for his optimism, Nizar should have held on to his horses.

The trio concerned -- Lintang assemblyman Datuk Ahamad Pakeh Adam, Pengkalan Baharu assemblyman Datuk Hamdi Abu Bakar and Kubu Gajah assemblyman Datuk Seri Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar -- have since pledged their loyalty to Umno.

The political scenario in Perak is precarious owing to the razor-thin margin that separates the Pakatan state government and the Barisan Nasional opposition.

Before Nasarudin's defection, the balance of power hung on two seats. Now, Pakatan has 32 seats to BN's 27.

Although Nizar might have thought that Nasarudin's move would secure his job, it might equally mark the beginning of the end for him as the state's 10th menteri besar.

Outgoing Perak BN and state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali was coy when he issued the warning to Nizar.

"This is like a football match. They have got one goal in the first five minutes but we have the rest of the match to score."

Stopping short of saying that BN would go all out to woo Pakatan assemblymen and topple the state government, he accused Pakatan of starting the ball rolling.

If Tajol Rosli sounded bitter, he had every reason to.

When rumours swirled that several Pakatan assemblymen in Perak were on the verge of joining BN last year, Tajol Rosli was accused of being unethical and corrupt.

However, these same people have now welcomed Nasarudin's defection with Nizar even saying that it must be respected.

Nizar should realise that although there might be internal problems in Umno and BN, his administration is no different.

Rifts exist between members of the state administration although these have been placed under wraps.

BN will try and capitalise on them.

The game has just begun and, as the saying goes, he who laughs last, laughs best. -- Husairy Othman, NST

Politikus di Malaysiakini! Siapakah Pembunuh Penjenayah Itu?’

Yeah, el-fared secara umum dapat bersetuju dengan kenyataan Menteri Dalam Negeri, Dato Seri Syed Hamid el-Bar, saperti yang dilaporkan portal berita terkemuka Malaysiakini dengan tajuk berbentuk seruan ‘Jangan layan penjenayah macam hero’ – tanpa ada tanda seruan (!)… alahai Malaysiakini!

Walaupun el-Bar enggan mengaitkan kenyataannya itu, lapor Malaysiakini dengan memetik sumber Bernama, dengan kematian suspek curi kereta A Kugan semasa dalam tahanan di balai polis Taipan, Subang Jaya, Selasa lepas, namun umum maklum dan dapat mengatakan dengan pasti bahawa kes Kugan lah yang dijadikan rujukan oleh el-Bar secara tidak langsung.

Beliau menjelaskan, dalam siasatan 19 kes curi kereta dan samun bersenjata, polis telah menahan tiga penjenayah yang disyaki termasuk Kugan. Maka beliau tidak mahu masyarakat menganggap mereka yang melakukan jenayah sebagai hero dan polis yang menguatkuasakan undang-undang pula sebagai syaitan.

Beliau juga meminta orang ramai supaya jangan mempolitikkan siasatan kes kematian Kugan itu kerana ia boleh menyukarkan lagi tugas polis.

"Mereka hendaklah bercakap mengenai kes itu berdasarkan fakta dan bukannya andaian," el-Bar dilapor Malaysiakini sebagai berkata.

Berita awal yang memetik kenyataan Ketua Polis Selangor Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar sebagai berkata bahawa kematian Kugan adalah akibat paru-paru berair. Kenyataan ini, el-fared percaya, adalah berdasarkan fakta laporan bedah siasat awal yang menunjukkan Kugan meninggal dunia akibat paru-paru berair. Bagaimanapun, bedah siasat kedua telah dijalankan setelah keluarga Kugan tidak berpuashati dengan punca kematian Kugan itu.

Hingga kini, polis masih menyiasat punca kematian itu dan keputusannya dijangka diketahui dalam masa terdekat. Tapi alahai… Jumaat lepas, Peguam Negara Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail telah mengklasifikasikan kes kematian Kugan sebagai bunuh. Jadi persoalannya kini di Malaysia ialah ‘Siapakah Pembunuh Penjenayah Yang Disyaki Itu?’

Takkan polis kut? saperti yang cuba digambarkan sang gembong politikus. Sebab kalo polis nak bunuh biasanya dia orang biarkan suspek terlepas lari dari tahanan dulu, kemudian kejar dan tembak sampai mati. Ingat, polis ada lesen untuk membunuh.

Kalo nak disabitkan juga polis maka tuduhan yang boleh dibuat pihak pendakwa, el-fared rasa, ialah menyebabkan kematian bukannya membunuh. Hahaha… tak caya tunggu dan lihat lah!

Malaysiakini lapor “PAS rampas kerusi Parlimen KT”; Badawi digambar berkata “Pilihan Yang Tepat !!!”

Portal berita terkemuka Malaysiakini melaporkan bahawa: PAS rampas kerusi Parlimen KT dengan majoriti 2,631 undi.

Calon Pas-Pakatan Rakyat Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut (MAWE World, gelaran pop terkini) yang juga ADUN Wakaf Mempelam memenangi pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Kuala Terengganu dengan memperolehi 32,883 undi menewaskan calon Umno-Barisan Nasional Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh (tidak ada kena mengena dengan el-fared di sini –ed.) yang meraih 30,252 undi selepas kesemua 144 peti undi dikira.

Calon Bebas Bomoh (lepasan Universiti Putra Malaysia, hah?.. ada ijazah jadi bomoh ka?) Azharudin Mamat @ Adam yang memperolehi 193 undi, hilang wang pertaruhan dalam perjudian politik kali pertamanya di KT – alahai… perhatian: calon bebas, lain kali toksah gatai nak pop, buang current saja! Nenek Mai Moon alias Mai Bulan lebih terror, 685 undi.

Sementara itu dinmerican (bukan din beramboi) yang membuat tinjauan dan analisis di lapangan (ground zero, kata pop semasa) dan melapor langsung dari KT menggambarkan PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi , yang dijadualkan akan bersara pada March mendatang , sebagai berkata: ianya “Pilihan Yang Tepat !!!” -- ha ha ha!

“Teruskan agenda perubahan demi masa depan untuk semua,” blog din lagi.
Ha hi hu! -- b-g

PKR moots regional Islamic body as throwing shoes won't stop missiles

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 –
As Parliament continued to censure the Israeli and United States governments over the Gaza conflict, PKR today mooted the idea of a regional Islamic body to flex its political muscle in the Muslim world.

MPs had expressed frustration over the powerlessness of the public to compel the United States and Israel to bring a halt to the Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza strip that has continued for nearly three weeks.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said that "throwing shoes cannot stop Tomahawk missiles," to illustrate the lack of a political solution.

De Facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed in Parliament today that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi negotiate with other Muslim nations in the region such as Indonesia and Brunei to do something meaningful.

"This will encourage Arab leaders to do more than just have to beg for mercy," he said.
In a press conference later, he added that as Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country and "an important democratic country that is considered moderate," with an independent foreign policy, a regional coalition could have "a definite influence on the world, as Arab countries may be considered emotionally vested in such issues."

"We must take our own stand as the anger of the public has been made known so it is incumbent upon our leaders to react," he said.

Selangor Menteri Besar and former PKR secretary-general Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim added more details on the suggestion in his speech in Parliament later.

"A task force with a formal secretariat should be formed to meet and mobilise initiatives with other Islamic nations," he said.

He said that by taking an active role, holding talks and discussions with other governments, a regional body could lobby for concerted efforts to curb future atrocities against Muslim nations.

Khalid suggested that foreign ministers could lead the secretariat to ensure eminent persons from each of the three Southeast Asian countries would represent their respective governments when speaking to other parties. – text: By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider, graphic: b-g

Frederic Oumar Kanoute fined for backing Palestinians

Sevilla's Malian international striker Frederic Kanoute has been fined for displaying a t-shirt with the word "Palestine" during his side's 2-1 Spanish Cup over Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish Cup.

The federation did not reveal the amount of the fine but Spanish media said it was between 2,000 and 3,000 euros (2,700 and 4,000 US dollars).

pix:Frederic Kanoute expresses support for Palestine after scoring goal, more pix: Kanoute facing Palestine shirt fine

Kanoute lifted his jersey to show the t-shirt with the word written in various languages after he scored in the 39th minute of Wednesday's match in an act of support for Palestinians in Gaza where an Israeli military offensive has claimed at least 785 lives since it began on December 27.

"It was something that I felt that I should do. Everyone should feel a bit responsible when there is such a big injustice. I am 100 percent responsible for what I did and I don't care about the sanction," he told private television Telecinco on Thursday.

Federation rules prevent players from displaying any sort of publicity or slogan during matches.

The federation said it was not penalizing the political nature of the message but the fact that the player had displayed a message in violation of the rules.

France-born Kanoute, a Sevilla player since a 2005 move from English Premiership side Tottenham, is a practising Muslim who has supported various humanitarian causes in the past.

In 2006 he set up a foundation to help orphans in Mali and the following year he reportedly spent around 500,000 euros (700,000 dollars) of his own money to save a privately owned mosque in Seville from being sold after a contract to use the premises by the local Muslim population had expired. -- Agence France-Presse, Saturday, 10 January 2009

Hoorah! Ashura, the day of victory

Deepest condolences on the threshold of the arrival of Imam Mahdi (AS) , the real avenger of the blood of Imam Hussein (AS), the promised, the expected one, to all Muslim freedom fighters throughout the world, and especially to his true devotees, on the occasion of Ashura, the most unforgettable tragedy in history, the day when Imam Hussein (AS) and his seventy-two companions were martyred unjustly but were not defeated.

Wednesday the 7th of January 2009 is the day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, the day of victory for Islam and Muslims.

The day of Ashura is commemorated not only by the Shia people but also by freedom-loving nations throughout the world as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S) at the battle of Karbala.

It is especially mourned on the first ten days of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, although the mourning continues through the whole month and well into Safar till the eighth of Rabi al Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.

Imam Hussein (AS) was the son of Imam Ali (AS), the first Shia Imam. His mother was Fatima (SA), the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (S), and his most famous title is Seyyed ush-Shuhada (Master of the Martyrs). Nine infallible Imams are his descendents, and Imam Mahdi (AS) is the last, the twelfth Imam. His followers await him day and night, praying that Almighty Allah may hasten his reappearance. – MORE tehrantimes.com

love letter from sydney

u shud c d harbor here, dar. it’s beautiful @nite, like d harbor @ sepanggoldcoast when we were there @merdeka day. u wander up &down d waterfront in short sleeves and listen to d fishermen arguing and d cbirds squawking.

fireworks explode over the sydney harbour bridge and the opera house during the new year's celebrations on sydney harbour in sydney, australia, thursday, jan. 1, 2009. -- msn

there’s a funny little restaurant that i’ve taken to eating in. syd is very proud of his bouillabaisse, and i’m rather fond of his taste. he’s from d north, brisbanegoldcoast, where he left his girlfriend, and we spend long evening boring each other silly w/ stories about d girls we’re left behind. he says if i can get u down here he’ll put on something really sumptuous. n i’m sure he wud, especially 4 u, my dearest.

everything’s fine. but it cud be better, and u know y. i’d gladly send u money 4 d ticket if u cud get away. then i’d probably c lees of d fishermen and cbirds as we walk along d jetty and opera house, but i can live w/out them.

click on the link below 2 c more fireworks around the world…

msn: Sydney kicks off New Year celebrations

Politicians@Bkt Antarabangsa: Potentially unwanted political animals ~ Malaysiakini

I know you all, Malaysiakini readers, take an interest in matters of political animals’ behaviors. I thought you all might want to know and share your thought about the following sad case and remarks by BARA spokesperson, Khan. Is there any way that this so-called democratic animal incidents and its animality problem could be rectified?

The Game: Khan specifically made reference to this blame game

The Tragedy: Landslide tragedy at Bt Antarabangsa: 4 killed, more buried - Malaysiakini