Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Firebourne

Complain on several users

Firebourne — Sun, 29 May 2011 20:24:20 +0800

As most have been aware, I had opened a thread in Helpdesk urging the forum management to consider appointing some new mods. The reason I had suggested this, is simply because of one reason. Several staff, do not have the time to log in and monitor all the dupes and delete posts as per when required, simply because they may have an active life outside the forum. In particular, the mods have little authority to ban dupes unlike staff who have the authority.

My intention was simple, more mods/staff to cut down dupes since mods and staff cannot be online 24-7. Dedicate some to /K/. Of course, some old dinosaurs started reminiscing about the times when /K/ during their times was some "paradise". They started yapping about times when they were rubbing two sticks to start a fire, metaphorically speaking. I do not who, what or how /K/ became what it is today, having said that, the cultural evolution that took place in /K/ was a natural process. Unlike what some dinosaurs would like to believe that /K/ was hijacked, I believe that what happened to /K/ is mere cultural evolution.

These people had hijacked my thread, which requested for more mods, and derailed it with their own political agenda, ie; to "de-evolutionize" /K/ to the /K/ culture during their dinosaur years. As a result of this, mass banning took place and threads were deleted. People in Kopitiam are being banned just for the slightest "sarcasm" or even a joke. Guess what, I'm the guy being perpetrated to be evil now, thanks to these internet conservatives. I'm now the black sheep of /K/ for starting that thread. For me, I consider it very low when someone decides take an opportunity like this, and use it for their own political agenda.

If those people wanted to "start" a revolution of bringing back the conservative times to /K/, they should start their own thread and start debating here. Not using someone else's name and hijack the thread. The said thread is as follows;

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1892074

I hope the highest authority may consider looking into this issue, though I would understand that he/she may have a life of his/her own, nonetheless, its my name on the line here. Not those conservatives.

Thank you.

If you ban me for posting this, so be it. I'm willing to face the consequences for it, since I RESPECT democracy and since I do not own this forum or organization.

Good night.

Caption this

Firebourne — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:44:56 +0800

Perkasa: Nazri a half-past-six minister

Firebourne — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:36:43 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Perkasa has called Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz a “half-past-six” leader in a public spat over the Malay rights group’s call for a “crusade” against Christians.

The NGO said this in retaliation after the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department’s referred to Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali as a “clown.”

“What is the point of listening to a half-past-six minister like Nazri (picture). He thinks Malays will support his statement and it will benefit Umno.

“We are not surprised because he is someone who is willing to attack those who have served the country like (former Prime Minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” said secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali in a statement last night.

Nazri had called Ibrahim a clown when defending the government’s decision not to take action against the Pasir Mas MP’s threat to wage a “crusade” against Christians.

“You cannot even say that Ibrahim’s words have caused the Malays to rise against the Christians. Now, people just laugh at Ibrahim and call him a clown,” the Padang Rengas MP said.

Ibrahim threatened Christians nationwide during a rally in Gombak two weeks ago with a crusade or holy war should they proceed with their purported agenda to usurp Islam.

He was referring to the recent row over a controversial newspaper report in Utusan Malaysia entitled “Kristian Agam Rasmi?” (Christianity the official religion?) which alleged that the DAP was conspiring with church leaders to take over Putrajaya, abolish Islam as the religion of the federation and install a Christian prime minister.

The report was based entirely on unsubstantiated blog posts by two pro-Umno bloggers, one of whom is currently under investigation by police. The second blogger has since deleted the entire contents of his blog.

Christian leaders and DAP members have denied the reports and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was forced to clear the air with Christian leaders.

Utusan Malaysia’s Christian conspiracy report is now under police investigation.

MalaysianInsider

How many of you can do this?

Firebourne — Thu, 26 May 2011 03:10:04 +0800

Appoint more mods?

Firebourne — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:14:49 +0800

There's a nutcase running around and creating dupes, spamming Kopitiam. Perhaps its time for LYN consider bringing in more mods and staff?

Better still, an undercover vigilante?

Feng-shui and GE13

Firebourne — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:44:12 +0800

Selena Tay

Speculation is running high and bets are already being placed on when Malaysia’s 13th General Election will be held. This is a sure indication that the rakyat or the populace believes it is very soon – within months, and the favorite being July.

Some have even prophesied the exact nomination day of July 9 and balloting day of July 23.

In any case, it looks like feng-shui will be very much part of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s game plan for GE-13. While he has publicly professed to a liking for the number 11, metaphysics experts aka feng-shui masters believe he is referring to the year 2011.

The month of July was picked, because it favored Najib’s BN and also because it can spell disaster for Pakatan! Yes, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat will have to be on special guard that particular month and the month before that.

Malaysia Chronicle spoke to a practitioner of Chinese Metaphysics for the significance of the dates and the months that are buzzing around town.

According to this practitioner, each date has specific purposes and in the Chinese Almanac, Najib’s birthdate shows that after August 5, his luck will start to sour all the way through November.

“It will certainly not be in November because the PM has very bad luck in November. December maybe. But his luck goes down from early August onwards. GE will be in June or July. After 5th August, he won’t do well anymore,” the feng-shui master said.

Beware the Remove Date

Conversely, June and July contain pitfalls for Anwar and Pakatan. Already, it is apparent that the BN is trying to capitalize on this piece of metaphysical gem. And there is no doubt that one of the best ways to destroy Pakatan is to get rid of PKR, which is Anwar’s own party.

The card that BN has up its sleeve is an ominous date - a “Remove” date to be precise. June 9th – the D-day on which PKR faces de-registration by the Registrar of Societies.

“Remove Days are used for divorce and for getting rid of one’s enemies or for clearance of old stock,” the master told Malaysia Chronicle.

“Perhaps it is more than just a coincidence that PKR is facing this threat on 9th June. Perhaps there is someone in BN who has in-depth knowledge of the Chinese Almanac in order for this date to be chosen,” she tilted her head upwards to ask.

But no one dared to give her a reply.

Whatever it is – sinophiles in Putrajaya or not – certainly sinister forces are at work as the person who chose this date seems to know about the ‘secret’ of this day. Of course, it could also be coincidence but the science of Date Selection is very popular amongst the Chinese.

To those who missed the recent news, the RoS has given a show-cause letter to PKR demanding to know why it should not be de-registered for allegedly contravening a clause in the sacking of a party member in 2009.

PKR has fired back, saying that there was no such clause in their constitution in the first place and secondly, there is no such member in the party rolls. Whatever their reply and no matter how solid their proof, Malaysia under Najib has descended into the realm of the ridiculous.

HornbillUnleashed

Govt to help rebuild orphanage at safe location

Firebourne — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:41:39 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said today the government would provide an allocation to rebuild the landslide-damaged orphanage in Hulu Langat at a safe location.

He said the government would discuss the matter with the administrator of the Rumah Anak-anak Yatim dan Anak-anak Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa which was hit by the landslide that claimed 16 lives last Saturday.

“We will determine the quantum of allocation and the location soon,” he told reporters after a visit to the site of the landslide in Hulu Langat near here.

Twenty-five people were trapped in the rubble of the landslide, but nine of them were rescued.

Najib, who was accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor, had just returned from a working visit to the United States.

The prime minister handed over RM10,000 to the next-of-kin of each of the 16 people who died in the tragedy.

He said the government would also donate RM10,000 to each of the nine injured victims soon.

The Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) also donated RM2,000 to the next-of-kin of each of the victims.

The Badan Amal dan Kasih Negeri Selangor (Kasih) donated RM10,000 and the Taqwa Foundation of the Federal Territory Islamic Council donated RM42,000 to the orphanage.

Najib said the tragedy could have been averted if the management of the orphanage had adhered to the guidelines.

He also said that there were enforcement weaknesses, especially on the part of the local authorities to inform the people of the risk of landslides.

There had been minor soil movements in the area, the signs indicative of a landslide, he said.

“Based on satellite images, there had been landslips near the building, with the earth displaced equivalent to 30 lorry loads, besides tilting trees and cracks on the building,” he said.

Asked whether the government would take more stern action against landowners who were reluctant to move despite their land being classified as risky, Najib said it was a question of choice.

“Maybe their land is most valuable and is the only property that they own. So long as there is no disaster, they are not prepared to do anything to adhere to the guidelines,” he said.

Najib said landowners should be prepared to sacrifice a little, but unfortunately many of them were not willing to do so.

-Bernama

FreeMalaysiaToday

Nazri does not understand MCA's role

Firebourne — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:37:10 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said that it is unfortunate Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz does not know MCA’s role in the government, as a spat over public scholarships between the Umno minister and the Barisan Nasional (BN) Chinese party continued today.

The MCA president did not spell out what his party’s exact role is but he denied the MCA is trying to “play hero.”

When asked later what MCA’s role is, party deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said it is to defend Chinese Malaysians.

“If Nazri as a senior minister doesn’t know the role of MCA, then it’s rather unfortunate,” Dr Chua told reporters today.

“We don’t want to play hero. Whoever wants to play hero is some minister’s outburst who doesn’t know the issue,” he added.

Liow echoed Dr Chua’s remarks by saying, “He should know MCA is voicing out over issues involving the Chinese.”

MalaysianInsider

Government takes over BERNAMA

Firebourne — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:34:35 +0800

CYBERJAYA, May 24 — Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim announced today that the government will assume responsibility for the administration of Bernama TV on June 1.

He confirmed that the concessionaire had agreed to cede the administrative reigns of the TV station to the ministry after conceding that it cannot afford to continue the service.

According to an agreement signed in 2008, Silver Ridge Bhd holds 67 per cent of shares in BTV Synergy Sdn Bhd with the remainder held by Bernama, the national news agency.

Due to financial problems, Silver Ridge relinquished its administration of the Bernama TV newsroom to Redberry Sdn Bhd in 2010.

In recent months, Bernama TV also stopped covering events in Sabah and Sarawak to concentrate on current affairs in the Klang Valley.

MalaysianInsider

Are they better than Justin Bieber & Rebecca Black

Firebourne — Tue, 24 May 2011 02:58:48 +0800

[YOUTUBE]lw3c5d3aBSE[/YOUTUBE]

Census on welfare homes in Selangor

Firebourne — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:23:20 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hulu Langat landslides have prompted the Selangor government to act: it will conduct a census on the number of shelter and welfare homes in the state within the next three months.

The move comes after a probe into the two landslides that killed 16 people at the Rumah Anak-anak Yatim dan Anak-anak Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa on Saturday revealed that the orphanage was built without approval from the local authorities.

Dubbed “Ops Selangor Prihatin Masyarakat”, it will fall under the purview of the Selangor Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation and Culture Committee.

Its chairman, Rodziah Ismail, said that the first step would involve issuing a directive to all local councils and district offices to identify the existence and locations of all such homes in the state.

These include orphanages as well as homes for the elderly, the disabled and single mothers.

“The next step would be to check whether all these homes are abiding by the state government’s regulations, which include owning a licence with a certificate of fitness (CF), a business licence and an operating licence,” she said.

“If we find that there are still homes without any of these required licences, they will be asked to immediately submit their applications.”

Rodziah, the state assemblyman for Batu Tiga, added that the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government would also set up a one-stop centre to coordinate the issuance of licences by the local councils, Registrar of Societies and the Welfare Department before granting approval to the applicants.

“The Selangor government takes people’s safety seriously,” she said. “We urge all parties, be it those who manage these homes or residents of private homes, to ensure the safety of their respective properties to avoid lives from being lost through carelessness.”

FreeMalaysiaToday

Selangor gohmen is slowpoke.

Nazri: Sedition Act outdated

Firebourne — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:08:41 +0800

PADANG RENGAS: De facto law minister Mohd Nazri Aziz claims he advocates the scrapping of the Sedition Act, describing it as out of date in a Malaysia that has evolved into a broadminded society.

“Controversial issues that were once considered taboo are now discussed openly and frankly in public without the fear of causing racial tension,” he said when the subject of Perkasa leader Ibrahim Ali came up during a press conference here over the weekend.

He described the Sedition Act as having “no relevance in these modern times” and said the government was giving Ibrahim the same freedom of speech it had allowed the online media.

Several public figures, as well as commentators in the online media, have criticised the government for its apparent reluctance to act against Ibrahim and the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia for statements and articles perceived as provoking racial strife.

“We cannot have double standards, one for the alternative media and another for Utusan Malaysia and Ibrahim Ali,” Nazri said.

He described Ibrahim as a “political clown”, but said freedom of speech must also apply to him.

Nazri held the press conference after attending a function at a school here. He is the MP for Padang Rengas.

Asked if he would initiate a repeal of the Sedition Act, he said: “No, the move must first come from the people through debate.”

He said many of the articles and comments appearing on the Internet were insulting to Malays and Muslims and were seditious, but he added: “An issue is only sensitive if it is not debated or discussed openly. When it is frankly debated in public, then it becomes a non-issue as there are checks and balances in the Federal Constitution.

“At one time, even I was also very sensitive to such issues, but I have matured over the years and have accepted this as freedom of speech.

“Society has the right to freedom of expression, as when Malay rights are questioned by the non-Malays and the relevance of Chinese and Tamil schools by the Malays.

“However, all the special rights of the Malays and the continued existence of the vernacular schools are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and there is no danger of them being removed by such speech or expression.

“So such public talk does not warrant the use of the Sedition Act.”

FreeMalaysiaToday

BNM: Country well-placed to take fuel price hikes

Firebourne — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:00:58 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz today expressed confidence in the country’s ability to withstand impending increases to fuel prices, saying the economy was stronger than it was in 2008 when it faced a similar predicament.

Global oil prices have risen sharply in recent months, fuelled by global demand and growing unrest in the Middle East, and have renewed fears of skyrocketing crude prices last seen in 2008.

Today, the Bank Negara governor said the economy had expanded its focus since then and was less likely to face a systemic shock due to rising fuel costs.

“The extent would not be as bad as previously,” she said at the International Centre for Leadership in Finance (Malaysia) here today.

Global oil prices are currently hovering near the US$110 (RM330) mark, but below the US$147 record it reached in 2008.

The central bank governor also said inflation figures will be adjusted if the prices of essential goods and services are raised unexpectedly as a result.

“If it is more than what we have priced in, it may be raised upward,” she said at the same event.

Putrajaya has warned of impending price hikes as its subsidy bill continues to spiral upwards as a result of global oil price increases.

On Friday, Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government will commit to slashing a subsidy bill which has risen by RM10 billion for fuel alone.

But the price hikes come during a time when consumers are fighting growing inflation and stagnating wages.

The consumer price index rose by three per cent in March — the fastest rate in nearly two years — with prices of non-alcoholic foodstuff increasing by 4.7 per cent.

Analysts and politicians believe that economic woes will be the biggest problem for the ruling Barisan Nasional as the country heads into a general election expected within the year.

According to a Bloomberg report last month, surging fuel prices and unhappiness over the implementation of race-based policies contributed to the ruling coalition losing control of five of 13 states to Pakatan Rakyat in Election 2008, where it also ceded a record 82 out of 222 seats in Parliament.

MalaysianInsider

Government frets as ladies stay single longer

Firebourne — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:58:08 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The decision by a growing number of women to forego marriage until later in life has caught the attention of the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).

According to the board’s figures, nearly one in three women between the ages of 25 and 29 have opted to remain single. This, according to LPPKN, was harmful the institution of marriage.

“We view seriously the trend of late marriage, especially among women, who often say that they haven’t met their soulmate as an excuse for not getting married,” LPPKN director-general Dr Anjli Doshi Gandhi said during a National Family Policy event in Kuching today.

At the same event, Minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s office Datin Fatimah Abdullah revealed that a third of the country’s population was now under the age of 15.

These, she said, would be eligible for marriage by 2020 and will require clear guidelines on family development to address the increase in households.

MalaysianInsider

Breaking News: Ancelotti linked to West Ham

Firebourne — Sun, 22 May 2011 19:40:37 +0800

[center][/center]

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he would be interested in taking the West Ham job if he is shown the door by Chelsea this summer.

The respected Italian tactician secured the Double in his first season at the helm of the Stamford Bridge club but has been unable to claim any silverware this season.

That has led to widespread speculation that Sunday's trip to Everton will be his last in charge of the Blues with a meeting planned with the club's hierarchy once the Premier League season concludes.

West Ham are searching for a new manager after axing Avram Grant in the immediate aftermath of their relegation to the Championship, and when questioned over whether he would take the Upton Park job, he responded: "Why not?

"The atmosphere is fantastic also in the Championship. The stadia are full.

"If you watch a game in Italy in the second division, maybe there will be in the stadium 2,000 people. It's totally different.

"It doesn't matter if you can manage a top team or a smaller team. For me, it's important to work.

"I started to train in the (Italian) second division and I was happy in the second division."

The reasons behind Chelsea's disappointing season are well documented, yet the manager continues to praise his team.

"I have to say thanks to my players, to every one," Ancelotti said.

"Because, more or less, they did their best every time.

"I have to shake their hand, to say thanks."

TeamTalk

What do you think?

Firebourne — Sun, 22 May 2011 15:34:41 +0800

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NYC mom voodoos fire to burn daughter

Firebourne — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:30:22 +0800

NEW YORK — Prosecutors say a New York City woman admitted setting fire to her young daughter during a voodoo ritual by pouring flammable liquid on the girl's head and igniting it, scarring her body.

Marie Lauradin (lah-hahr-DAHN') pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree assault by pouring the liquid on her then-6-year-old daughter at their Queens home in 2009.

Prosecutors say Lauradin poured the accelerant on her daughter's head and in a circle on the floor as part of a voodoo practice involving a loa, or spirit.

Prosecutors say the judge indicated he would sentence her to 17 years in prison. She also faces possible deportation back to her native Haiti.

Defense attorney Jeff Cohen says his client admitted that her actions were reckless, but he would not comment on her motives.

Wall Street Journal

Woman ran over daughter

Firebourne — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:10:06 +0800

A US mother has been arrested after she deliberately ran down her daughter in a supermarket carpark, police allege.

Ohio woman Michelle Touma, 41, allegedly swerved her van to hit her daughter Emily, 19, running over her foot, the Sandusky Register reports.

Touma had been arguing with her daughter as she drove her to her job at a nearby Taco Bell outlet.

Her daughter began shouting and hitting the bonnet of the car when Touma tried to drop her off early.

Police said Touma then swerved the van so she could strike her daughter in the head.

"The mum said that she was going to drive by with the window down and smack her daughter in the back of the head," a police spokesman said.

But the girl fell to avoid her, with the van running over her foot in the process.

Touma was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular assault and domestic violence.

nineMSN

UMNO Youth + PERKASA demonstration

Firebourne — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:53:18 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Perkasa and Umno today urged Malays to protect Utusan Malaysia at all costs, claiming the broadsheet remained the only “true” voice for the Malay race.

Both groups attacked Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties for “unfairly” portraying Utusan as a racist paper and said the Umno-owned daily provided balanced reporting, unlike opposition papers and news portals.

“Utusan Malaysia is the official voice of the Malays, as long as Utusan lives, the Malays will live.

“Perkasa will defend Utusan to the very end, as the paper has served the interests of the Malay community well,” said Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali.

Syed Hassan warned “non-Malays” and PR leaders to stop targeting Utusan, saying the Malay rights group would not hesitate to mobilise its members to stage protests in defence of the Umno daily.

Shouts of “Save Utusan, long live the Malays!” were heard as 150-odd Perkasa and Umno Youth members marched to the Utusan headquarters to deliver a memorandum in support of the daily.

“Utusan is brave, it is speaking the truth about the Malays, we are warning those who attack Utusan... over our dead bodies, we won’t let it happen,” shouted a Perkasa member during the march.

Among those who were present today included former Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifa and Umno Youth secretary Datuk Megat Firdaus Megat Junid.

“We are here today to express our unequivocal support towards Utusan, because it is Utusan which had united the Malays before independence, and it remains the only avenue in which the concerns of the Malay community can be fairly addressed.

“The paper has done so much for us, we will not allow its reputation to be tarnished by lies,” said Megat Firdaus.

Utusan came under heavy fire recently over a controversial report entitled “Kristian Agam Rasmi?” (Christianity the official religion?) in which it was alleged that DAP leaders and Christian priests were conspiring to take over Putrajaya, abolish Islam as the religion of the federation and install a Christian prime minister.

The report was based entirely on unsubstantiated blog posts by two pro-Umno bloggers, one of whom is currently under investigation by police. The second blogger has since deleted the entire contents of his blog.

Christian leaders and DAP members have denied the reports and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was also forced to host a meeting with the religious chiefs to solve the issue but Ibrahim insisted on Saturday that the report was true.

Utusan Malaysia’s Christian conspiracy report is currently under police investigation.

PKR Youth has postponed a protest against Utusan planned for today to avoid possible clashes with Perkasa and Umno Youth.

Perkasa and Umno Youth members who were present today dared PKR Youth members to show up, saying that the PKR wing’s absence showed that it was “afraid” of facing Perkasa and Umno.

“PKR Youth where are they now? Scared senseless they can’t even show up, they are cowards,” shouted an excited Perkasa member.

MalaysianInsider

Scholarship mess

Firebourne — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:46:54 +0800

DAP blames Putrajaya for scholarship mess

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Shut up and let us fix PSD problem, MCA tells DAP

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