Saturday 30 July 2011

Ruang jalanan motosikal yang bernilai RM2


Perlu mahir menyelit

Asalamualaikum,

Menunggang motosikal di Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur boleh dianggapkan sebagai satu cabaran besar  dan memerlukan seorang penunggang motosikal berwatak cekal hati dan punyai  konsentrasi yang sangat tajam kerana sentiasa perlu mengkaji situasi perjalanannya yang berubah-ubah. Saya juga sering bermotosikal bagi menjimatkan masa dan ini juga lebih praktikal bagi mengatasi masalah lalu lintas yang sentiasa sesak di jalanraya di Kuala Lumpur.

Lorong RM2
Motosikal bolehlah dianggap  sebagai kenderaan yang mampu dimiliki oleh mereka yang berpendapatan kecil  dan  'kapcai' adalah pilihan ramai berbanding motosikal mewah. Walau apa pun motosikal memainkan peranan penting dan ramai yang bergantong kepada motosikal dalam usaha mencari nafkah hidup termasuk juga posmen kita.
 
Dalam menunggang motosikal saya dapati satu isu       yang menjadi masalah utama.  Masalah yang dimaksudkan ialah berhubung dengan memandu kereta yang tidak langsung peka dan bertimbang rasa terhadap penunggang motosikal. Bukan semuanya begitu tetapi ada yang bersikap sedemikian di jalanraya. Memang diakui ada antara penunggang motosikal juga  yang tak beretika dan beradap dijalanraya tapi apa pula dengan mereka yang berhemah. Tambah pula bukan semua jalan di Kuala Lumpur khususnya mempunyai lorong  bagi motosikal. Kerajaan patut memastikan semua jalan baik di dalam maupun luar bandar yang bakal dibina diperuntukan lorong motosikal demi menjamin keselamat pengguna motosikal.


Memang tidak dinafikan kenderaan empat roda membayar ribuan ringgit untuk cukai jalan, mungkin juga ada yang berpendapat maka  mereka mempunyai hak menggunakan jalan raya sesuka hati dan tidak hiraukan si penunggang motosikal yang terpaksa guna laluan yang sempit kadang kurang dari nilai cukai RM2 yang dibayar oleh motosikal.


Lebih selamat guna lorong ini
 Bagi 'superbike' pula sekiranya berada dalam kesesakaan lalu lintas sorry beb,langsung  tak dapat bergerak dan terpaksa menunggu sama saperti memandu kereta. Ternyata moto 'kapcai' lebih beruntung dalam situasi begini. Jadi apakah penunggang motosikal tidak layak mendapat keselesaan dijalanraya berbanding yang bermotokar?


Pemandu kereta banyak yang tidak kisah atau pedulikan penunggang motosikal. Cuba kita perhatikan semasa berlaku kesesakan lalu lintas, atau apabila deretan kereta berhenti disebabkan sesakan lalu lintas atau di lampu merah, penunggang motosikal terpaksa pandai selit menyelit antara  motokar, bas atau lori bagi sampai kehadapan. Dalam pergerakan ini adakala terlanggar cermin tepi kereta dan ini menimbulkan suasana yang tidak diingini antara penunggang motosikal dan pemandu kereta berkenaan. Pada hal ruang yang diberikan oleh pemandu kereta membawa risiko  berlakunya perkara ini. Pemandu kereta langsung menentukan agar ruang yang diberikan dapat dilalui oleh motosikal dengan senang.

Pemandu kereta juga ada yang berhentikan kereta terlalu rapat dengan kenderaan sebelah maka ruang laluan motosikal menjadi sempit. Ada pula yang berhenti dimana cermin tepi kenderaan mereka sejajar dengan cermin tepi kereta sebelahan dan ini juga jadikan  ruang laluan moto menjadi sukar, tidak mencukupi bagi motosikal melepasi tanpa pergeselan berlaku kepada cermin 'wing mirror' kereta.Pendek kata kepada pemandu  kereta tolong pastikan, dimana yang wajar, kita memberikan ruang yang selesa bagi si motosikal ni. Sekurangnya  bagilah ruang RM2 itu atau lebih sikit untuk penunggang motosikal  bergerak dengan selesa.


Adakala  ruang laluan yang diberikan bernilai macam RM0.50 sen sahaja.Ini terlalu sempit  bos! Kereta juga perlu pastikan susunan jarak antara satu kereta dengan yang dihadapan  berada dalam 'saf' yang lurus. Dalam hal ini bukan macam nak tunaikan solat kena rapat, ni tolong jangan terlalu rapat hinggakan tidak ada ruang untuk motosikal melaluinya.Saya  cuma sekadar mengingatkan sahaja sebab saya pun naik moto juga .Mudah mudahan  pemandu kenderaan beroda empat dapat berikan sekurang kurangnya ruang RM2 itu kepada penunggang motosikal. Boleh kan?


Dengan cara ini kedua-dua belah pihak akan rasa senang.Namun demikian kedua belah pihak juga perlu meningkatkan etika semasa dijalanraya dan  patuhi arahan lalu lintas terutama pada pemandu kereta bila hendak menukar 'lane' pastikan tiada motosikal yang berlalu dalam kesesakan. Motosikal pun kena waspada bila dok selit selit tu!

Juga sebagai peringatan yang penting kepada kedua dua belah pihak, JANGAN sekali  kali 'bersms' semasa bermotosikal atau memandu kereta demi untuk menjaga keselamatan diri sendiri dan juga keselamatan pengguna jalanraya yang lain.

Saya yaikin kebanyakan kes langgar belakang melibatkan kenderaan yang berlaku dalam kesesakan adalah berpunca dari pemandu asyik  'bersms' semasa memandu. Penunggang motosikal juga asyik bersms danini boleh akibat masuk parit atau berada bawah kereta. jaga jaga brader, bahaya!




" BERHATI HATI DI JALAN RAYA KALAU TIDAK TAK DAPAT RAYA "
"SELAMAT MENYAMBUT BULAN RAMADHAN"

Malaysia - Singapore World Cup Qualifying

  The  return Malaysia/Singapore  World Cup Asian zone qualifying round was played at the Bukit Jalil stadium to a more than full crowd. Though initially I was not keen on going however  an old football  buddy of mine  made an offer of a F.O.C ticket that I can't resist. After all it has been years I have not seen the national team in action. 

Conveniently I took the LRT and the Bandar Tun Razak station looked normal as I  saw no rush,  business as usual. While the LRT chugged on I began to wonder what was the crowd going to be like.The electrifying atmosphere at Bukit Jalil stadium was felt once I stepped out of the station. It was like walking through a mardi gras festival.


Crowds gathered outside the gates in great numbers even when it was about 5 minutes to kick off. Congestion can be seen at the walkways and the staircase leading to the terraces an indication that no more seats were available.Horns blasting and the cheers from the crowd present was  somewhat similar to the experience I had in the 2006 World Cup. Never was the situation this vibrant here and completely different from that of the 70s. 

I wandered through the crowd and entered through the turnstile only to realise later that I got myself into the wrong section as my ticket indicated the main entrance. I guess this must have been fated so let it be.

Squeezing myself forward I manage to get a tight spot where I can only watch the game in between shoulders and ears of the layer in front, but honestly it was all worth the while. After all my ticket was F.O.C

The fantastic crowd must have broken an all time record but deep inside me I prayed to Almighty Allah for the safety of all in Bukit Jalil stadium. It would be unthinkable if disaster were to strike. Alhamdullilah all went well  that evening even though I felt just out of a sauna.

When both teams entered the field ,whistles and horns  blared.A disappointment with our supporters not giving the due respect to the national anthem of the Republic of Singapore.  Happened on most football matches where the crowd don't even stand to honour the national anthem. Why must we behave this way and when can all this nonsense be all over. 

 Seemed like a tit for tat situation but why can't we just put them to shame about their uncalled for behaviour by showing some respect to their country here even though we were accorded the same treatment in the Lion City.I now wonder whether playing the national anthem is really a good idea and necessary?

Now, let's comment  about the game. Our team play a different ball game as compared to the away game.  Our mid field needed scrutiny and must dominate the center of play.The Singaporeans were tormenting our half of the pitch. Our attacking force  was not given the needed support at times out numbered by the opponents in the Singapore goal area.

Last Thursday night saw our team sank under pressure and a lapse in defence in the last quarter  of the game broke every Malaysian's heart. Our midfield  failed to supply the ammunition for the forwards to torment the opponent's goal. Shafie Sali played his best but support deserted him.His goal shackled the Singapore custodian but no shots were aimed at the opponent's goal.Yes we are  sad that we should lose to an arch rival but that's football. 'Harimau Malaya' team must be commended as they were not intimidated by the 'mercenaries' on the other side and this is great spirit.

Keeping possession was lacking and loosing the ball up front must be reduced.The absence of some key players change the Malaysian ball game.Such a situation should not worry the coach as I believe those on the bench should be equally competent to be  called upon any time. They must know that they are as good as the 11 on the field. This has to be so as football is a game of only 11 at a time. So those on the bench must have the fire in them ever ready to go to destroy the opponent.

Special credit goes to the goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi who brought out the best in him and displayed a brilliant game with   some unexpected saves.Only a late defensive error gave the visitors the draw they came for and our hearts sunk.  
 

Undoubtedly this team needed  more self confidence and for us to judge them on a couple of games with weak opponents can give us false hope. A conclusive opinion can only be reached over a certain set period and pitting ourselves with stronger opponents will give us the opportunity to make a more precise assessment. Players has to be consistent like   players of  bygone era who remained in the national squad for quite some time whereas present players find this feat hard to match.

 Now a general observation on this.Outside the stadium vendors have a field day selling  team jerseys, both local as well as that of  notable foreign  teams. The notable foreign  teams, whether club or country the jersey will bear the player's name and the number worn. As for Malaysia they do not carry the player's name but only "Malaysia" with a number because the players in the squad may not be in the national team for long. The change can come too fast. That's how I see it anyway.

The players can and  must now focus themselves on discipline.This is most important.Representing the nation is not good enough as they must endeavour to penetrate into the more prestigious leagues like the Serie A, EPL or the Bundesliga. Even playing in the 'J League' is a great achievement already.This ambition is not a walk in the park and needed sacrifices but all worth the while. Whatever the circumstances prevailing now, our 'Harimau Malaya'  team must focus themselves on  future major tournaments and leave the past as history.
Losing by a narrow margin to a credible and formidable team is no shame if their game was played within expected standards which is indeed hard to achieve but, not impossible. Many players emulate their idols,in hair style and play attire.How wonderful if their style of play too matched the style of play of these classic players? Our players need to  have the passion to win planted deep in their hearts.

  Oh yes! Bukit Jalil stadium is indeed a fantastic arena. Last Thursday really exposed that  the time has come that the country should have a stadium solely for football  like those in England. The overflowing crowd   could have been averted if standing only were made available by stripping off the seats at the terraces except those  at the VIP area. Athletic meets can be at hosted at Stadium Merdeka as the crowd is much less.

Last exciting game I witness was the Penang/Singapore Malaysia Cup final in 1977 if I am not mistaken when Singapore beat Penang 3-2 in the extra time.That was a great final at the Stadium Merdeka with the big turn out of Singapore fans. At that time too, our hearts broke.
To ' Harimau Malaya' don't be disheartened we are with you so  look up and roar all the way.

Tuesday 26 July 2011

Are procedures followed?

 
    The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the the Teoh Beng Hock (TBH) drama concluded and the verdict of 'driven to suicide' was reached.The RCI identified 3 officers of the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) as responsible for  'driving TBH to suicide. While we do not question and respected the decision reached however, some pertinent questions need to be addressed after the findings.What are the actions that will be instituted against the 3 officers found responsible and, are changes required in the administration and future operations of the MACC?.


We are all aware that the MACC after all is an extension of the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) and of course new officers  enlisted to this body can be inexperienced and some of them tend to feel  almighty and harboured the impression that they can  send shivers down everybody spine if they come visiting.


We now have to wait to see what is in store for the 3 culprits found responsible for 'driving TBH to suicide'. With such a conclusion, the AG will now  be placed in the hot seat and  will have sleepless nights too as they have to come up with a decision acceptable by all  on these three culprits .


I tend to agree with the recent comments from a retired ACA chief that we should not question the "interrogation procedures" by the MACC. Are these three personnel 'scapegoats? The RCI  consisted of professionals highly conversant in their own scope of responsibillity. Their findings came after careful study of every piece of evidence and moreover,in a case of a death, someone must be held accountable. In this process the RCI found them responsible so the question of 'scapegoat' does not arise. However I agree that apart from the three what about their superiors if  we question about the supervison and accountability? With this  it pushed us on to the next  situation  on the  status of TBH in this drama.


Assuming that TBH was "interrogated" that will naturally list him as a "suspect" for whatever case it does not matter. I guess everyone will agree on this. Now, let's look at the other side of the coin, if he was called merely to have his statement recorded, then he should be listed as a "witness". In the litigation process, prosecution 'witness' will  help the prosecution while the defence 'witness' will support the defence. I am not a legal man but there  can no doubts about this either.

As far as the  Royal Malaysia Police is concerned, the supervising officer will normally be  held accountable for actions of his subordinates a procedure followed till this very day. Many officers went through hell due to actions by their subordinates. Lack of supervision can lead to the decay of an organisation.However,despite measures put in place there  some bad hats always putting spanners in the works.

Administratively the Royal Malaysia Police have the Discipline Branch constantly breathing down the necks of all staffs irrespective of rank and status in the force. Highly probable that the Royal Malaysia Police is the only agency to have a such a 'watch dog' section Now do the MACC advocate the same? On this case  there are bound to have  some over zealous personnel  seemingly without proper guidance and supervision acted in a manner against set norms which resulted in this tragedy.

Apart from internal instructions in the form of Inspector General Standing Orders (IGSO) for the force to follow, the AG's office too constantly poured instructions and procedures relating to many aspects of criminal investigations to the Royal Malaysia Police and one of such that I vividly remember was related to the handling of police detainees.

The instruction forbid detainees to be taken out of police lockups after sunset without a written approval from a senior officer. In addition to this proper and meticulous documentations were needed. Again assuming TBH was an accused person how come he was out of his lockup after sunset? They were neither taking him out for a raid nor to recover any physical evidence. Further more were there proper documentations made to this effect or that of his movements in  the MACC office at that material time? My guess could be as good as yours. Entries especially connected with this matter if ever there was  in any registers or books would have been missing, obliterated or tempered with.

Were the instructions  and standing orders,if any, from the AG  filed by the MACC? Did the AG's office overlooked to include the MACC in their circulation. As a matter of fact, were the other departments involved with investigations, arrests and detention of individuals, such as the Royal Customs, Immigration, etc kept aware of the instructions from the AG or does all these only apply to the Royal Malaysia Police?.

The findings threw MACC into bad light and it will be a tremendous task as well as a slow process to be on track again.A similar situation was experienced by the Royal Malaysia Police on many occasions. This also gave a flimsy picture that the MACC apparently lacked urgency. TBH was found dead in 2009 and one would have expected that who ever that sat as boss would have taken the immediate steps to enhance  security of all MACC offices nationwide to eliminate similar occurrences.

Surprisingly this was not the case. Early this year we were again shocked with the news about a Customs officer who again 'jumped to his death' in the MACC office dragging this establishment further into the dark waters. It was only after a lapse of 2 years and after the tragic death of Ahmad Sarbani that a circular was issued to enhance security in MACC offices.I think it came a little too late and what's the action taken on this failure?None so far as the officer responsible should be held accountable .. Sadly no one bothered and don't be surprised the officer concerned with this failure will probably be on the next promotion list.

Ok, is there a third category of witness, I don't think so? The media quoted TBH as a "saksi" or a "witness".  If  TBH was  a witness then, what was he doing in the MACC office during the odd hours of the day? Witnesses helping in the investigations should be treated accordingly. Unfortunately this has always bothered me wondering about the actual status of TBH. A witness normally will have a statement recorded under Sec 112 Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) while for an accused person it will be recorded under Sec 113 of the CPC. Well, where shall we list him then? It is  still unclear and no one knows what and why exactly TBH was there for?

Repairing a dented image is no easy task as experienced by the Royal Malaysia Police.The MACC must now look at itself and have the moral courage to act against errant  officers and those who merely existed just to fill the blanks. Dedicated ones must be commended  while those problematic characters weeded out. The  country expects this organisation to dominate and needless to say,  play an effective role to eradicate corruption at all levels and at the same time ensure the nation's vital survival. 
Now whatever that was done cannot be undone so  let's sit back and relax for the next episode involving Ahmad Sabrani. What is the story going to be like?Hope they don't  browse into the book of excuses for a suitable answer. Not only the family of Ahmad Sarbani expecting an acceptable reason, the nation on the whole too expects the same.  Let's hope the MACC pull up it's socks and be on track to do what is really expected of them.

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Pudu jail ~ Why can't they preserve it?

Pudu jail
Assalamualaikum,

Gradually another of our criminal justice system's icon embedded right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur will be obliterated leaving just a small facade for the coming generations to ponder what this peculiar structure is all about.These future generations might not  know the background  to this structure unless of course, the structure itself can,like in a cartoon movie,  give a run down of it's own existence.

Whatever the situation Pudu Jail will always remain notched in the minds of every senior residents of Kuala Lumpur including me, once a 'man in blue ' serving in Kuala Lumpur . Sadly this piece of relic has been earmarked for the development and a commercial complex will take it's place despite the glut of shopping complexes in Kuala Lumpur. Can it be that some sinister  hands were at work to see their scheme become a reality?

Among the lame reasons cited for the extermination of this famous icon was that this penal institution's location itself is no longger inappropriate as it stood right in the heart of the city.Unlike in most countries, prisons are located right in the heart of town and they still stands till this very day. In fact Pudu Jail should have been left right where it is standing  to serve as a grim reminder  for potential crooks to be aware that Pudu Jail can be their home.

Another hilarious reason cited was that this jail was no longer safe. They must just be joking, a structure like Pudu Jail that stood prominently from 1895 till this very day,without any serious incidents was said to be unsafe? Funny, a stadium hardly 2 years old came tumbling down and for that matter how safe are most of our present buildings in the country?  Pudu can be proud of it's record and I bet there were no record of escape from legal custody reported connected with Pudu.

Apart from a sensational  incident that happened  in Pudu Jail where a lady Malay Magistrate on judicial duty inside was taken hostage by some prisoners no other serious drama took place herel apart from probably minor and normal incidents common in all prisons. Nevertheless as expected, the hostage drama in Pudu Jail had a happy ending. All praises went to the Special Unit of the Royal Malaysia Police for a job well executed.

The "Death Row", where inmates awaited execution formed an integral part of this jail with gloomy clouds hanging above this place.This was understandable as most inmates here have lost all recourse and waiting for the day of reckoning. The first foreigners hanged here were Australian nationals Kevin and Barlow convicted for drug trafficking that still carries the mandatory death sentence in Malaysia.Many on drug charges were hanged in Pudu Jail and this routine was carried on until Pudu Jail ceased to function when the new Sg Buloh prison started operation.It was not known how many inmates have kept their dates with the hangman since the existence of this jail Female inmates were segregated from the male and do not get any special treatment.

The Death Row too has it's eerie stories to tell. In one of the cells in Death Row it was said that a beautiful painting of a lady drawn by an  inmate  was said to  shift it's location on the wall of the cell at night. How true this is,is not known but strange stories do go around. Death row was a gloomy and lifeless section of the jail.  Apparently Fridays were designated as hanging days for death row inmates. On this day inmates scheduled to hang will be taken to take the stand on the gallows and after a brief ritual, according to the inmate's belief,in a flash  he or she will be on the way to the next world.

Hanging usually takes place early in the morning.The clanking of the heavy steel cell doors opening and the sound of pounding foot steps  will suddenly be punctuated by eerie howls and cries from the inmate scheduled to answer the date with the hang man. It must have been hard for the hangman, but someone has to do this job. The Directors of Pudu Jail probably have good, bad and ugly experiences to tell about this jail.

Canning was also a routine in Pudu just like in other prisons. This sentence by the courts was carried out by trained warders. Usually the prisoners wil be informed of this court order. This will be executed in one go as ordered by the court and not in installments as most people thought. Prisoners facing canning too will have sleepless night before facing the man with the rotan.

Canning  is a skill arranging all strokes of the 'rotan' arranged neatly in three rows. The first strike sometime drew blood. To some with thicker buttock probably this happened after a couple of strokes. One thing for sure going to the toilet and sleeping on one's back will be a painful experience for some time.Prisoners were often helped to their cells after this session and the 'addidas stripes' will be permanently visible on the prisoner's butt

 Pudu Jail was listed into the Guinness Book of Records for the longest mural declared In 1984. A talented inmate, Khong Yen Chong painted the mural of a local  scene along the walls of Pudu.Apparently unable to finish the job he came back after his release and volunteered to finish the task. It probably broke lots of hearts including Mr Khong to see his mural disappear but Mr Khong need not worry as there are people who knows and appreciated his talent and contribution. His family can be proud of him as this achievement will remain recorded in the book of records.






Standing in front of the main entrance of this jail it makes us wonder what hidden secrets this institution held and who were the individuals that have been 'guests' of this famous prison over the years? I bet there certainly exists reliable records somewhere to answer this question?

Oh yes! Like it or not a modern shopping complex will next step in place  to greet us all soon. Pudu Jail should be maintained as a heritage relic but sadly it is not the case and will soon be gone forever. Contrary to countries in Europe structures like this will be preserved. Pudu unfortunately was not listed and  gazetted as a Heritage building under the Heritage Act. So they passed the "death sentence" under dubious circunstances.But how stupid can this be when a building like Pudu Jail could just have been automatically listed as a Heritage building  as everyone knows it's age.Even a smart 5 years old can tell you this.

After the closure of Pudu Jail, it was briefly used as a police lockup but was later discontinued apparently due to 'economic reasons' and factor of safety. It would have been a wise move if this icon prison was used as a central lockup for Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent as the police was then facing a acute shortage of detention cells involving remand prisoners.

Due to this acute shortage,  the Home Ministry even suggested  a plan  to acquire abandoned buildings transforming them into lockups. This move  sounded ridiculous and absolutely absurd.A structure like the great Pudu Jail that stood the test of time over the years, should have been upgraded with state of the art systems and facilities and fully utilised as a central police  lockup.

Pudu Jail was beyond doubt  a more secure alternative compared to the normal  police lockups.This can be proven by the various escape from legal custody cases reported from police lockups over the years. Also appropriate. a Criminal Court should be constructed on the open ground  adjacent to Pudu Jail with a tunnel constructed from the jail leading to the Criminal Court next door. Prisoners scheduled for proceedings can be escorted from the jail to the court proceedings without any traffic jam and risks faced by the "Black Maria". Riding in the "Black Maria" was like being in a mobile sauna. Building a shopping complex is definately not a wise move as many malls are within walking distance in this Golden Triangle and can this proposed mall attract the expected patronage? The proximity of the LRT station is also convenient for relatives of inmates coming for visits. 






For those who were connected with the Prisons Department it's sad to see Johore Bharu and Kuching prisons meeting the same fate as Pudu. A guessing game on the fate goes on involving other old prisons in Malaysia. We have to sometimes appreciate legacies left by our colonial masters and to remember history of monuments like these. For now the curtains came down on Pudu Jail or Penjara Pudu.In a matter of time the same fate will probably befall old prisons in Penang, Alor Star, Malacca, Sabah and the other states.The same unacceptable excuse of 'not gazetted as Heritage monument' will be cited to legalise the demise of other monuments of historical significance.
Oh mighty Pudu Jail! You are now awaiting in silence for the day when it will be your turn for a date with destiny when the swing of the demolition ball will strike deep into your heart and send you into the criminal justice system's annals.The generations to come will also not realise that you, once upon a time, stood majestically at this junction of Jalan Pudu and Jalan Hang Tuah. You served as a grim reminder to all irrespecitive of their status.



Well to Pudu Jail, after all these long years I salute  and bid you " Adious! "  






Wednesday 6 July 2011

BERSIH not a legal entity

Well, of late the nation has been put on our toes by the planned demonstration by BERSIH. 


What we know the Registrar of Society confirmed the fact the this body is not registered and therefore deemed an illegal society and that is pretty obvious. 


With all the think tank I bet in the organisation they should realise the requirement of our own domestic law regarding activities of societies irrespective whether it is a social organisation or political. 


I have seen turmoil and chaos as a young lad in Penang during the 'ching gay' processions and the hartal that not only pulled the brake on social activities in the island but more serious than that it knocked a wedge between the races, I come from an area where my friends encompasses all three races and though we led saperated lifes and are scattered all over the country our once in the while congregation brought the same atmosphere that we enjoyed as kids and never changed one bit.


This is the greatest! 


On this matter I must salute the Penang Police Contingent for taking executive actions on the recent demostration in Georgetown sending a signal that the 'men in blue' will not tolerate any form of actions that will catalyst scenario that if left unchecked might bring miseries of previous commosions we have encountered. 


Even worst this might draw the nation backwards which nobody accept. As a retired 'blue blood' I always appreciate the sacrifices given by those before me going through the emergency, the confrontation and civil disorders.


Probably the organisers are keeping in step with developements in North Africa but our situation is very very different or are they thinking pulling something like this will bring the NATO to our door steps. 


It is the wish of all level headed citizen of Malaysia to see the strong lads in BERSIH organised themselves and if it is for the good of the country establish a political entity get registered and let the fate of the country be decided in a civilised manner  through the ballot box. 


I suspect those who orchestrated the 9th July so called peaceful demonstration has other motives!


 The pertinent question to ask can it be peaceful? 


We say 50,000 in the parade and it only takes 1 in the crowd to create a scene that will eventually render the procession to be violent. 


Let us see a probable scenario, If a person in the procession passes a policeman on duty who is there to ensure peace and this bloke passes an unfavourable remark or insults the policeman, I am sure that the police will caution this person and this probably will attract others in the procession to interfere and from one small incident this can be a tsunami of emotions and all hell might break loose!!!


That is why all level headed citizens who wants to see that the side A meets and talks to side B or C for an amicable solution, good for all and this talk must be placed on trust and professionalism must prevail at all times. 


We the rakyat expect the best for all and the most important point mentioned before by Dr M who said which I still remember - " dont allow ourselves to be colonised again" and we must realise that this statement needs to be taken seriously that any turmoil or hostile situation begetting this country will bring in the UN who will be here for sure until kingdom comes and this to me will be a form of colonisation.