Wednesday, October 31, 2012

颶风重击美国东部,夺33命纽约瘫痪大停电


  • 大水涌进曼哈顿下城金融区的隧道,湍急的水流彷彿海啸来袭。(图:法新社)
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(美国‧纽约30日讯)颶风“桑迪"週二凌晨挟带狂风暴雨登陆美国东海岸地区,包括纽约、首都华盛顿、巴尔的摩、费城及波士顿等大城,全部笼罩在暴风半径中,至今已夺走33条人命,创下1993年后侵袭美东最强的颶风纪录。
美国总统奥巴马週二宣佈纽约州与新泽西州出现“大灾难",同时宣佈取消週三的总统竞选活动,继续留在华盛顿指挥救灾工作。
740万户摸黑渡日
在当地时间週一晚上8时於新泽西南部沿海登陆的威力巨大的颶风“桑迪",在美国东部掀起巨浪,带来豪雨及水浸,各路交通瘫痪,逾万航班被取消,纽约几乎绝大多数的地铁线路都被水淹,狂风暴雨並导致约740万户人家处在停电带来的黑暗中。
电影《明天过后》场景確实发生了
纽约、费城、华盛顿和巴尔的摩等市地铁、公共汽车和火车从星期日晚开始停止营运,学校、银行、运输等机构也纷纷关闭,民眾在商场抢购粮食、发电机及电池等应急用品。
电影《明天过后》(The Day After Tomorrow)的场景,確实在纽约市发生了。
纽约证券交易所连续两天停止交易,是1888年以来首次因天气原因连续休市两天,预料週三將恢復交易。
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“明天过后”的纽约
《明天过后》(The Day After Tomorrow)中有一幕:颶风在大西洋形成超级风暴潮,洪水衝进纽约市,气候学家杰克的儿子山姆与他的朋友被困在中城的纽约公共图书馆,杰克和其两位同僚从华盛顿出发到纽约营救山姆。在杰克抵达纽约之前,整座城市已经因为颶风来临而被冰封。
很多人看到这一幕时,除了被电影的特效和娱乐性震撼之外,也会在想:这在现实生活中可能会发生吗?
短短不到6年,这在过去可能被视为科幻的场面,竟然活生生在我们面前出现了!颶风“桑迪"袭击美东,洪水冲进纽约市,美东陷入一片黑暗,宛如《明天过后》的骇人情景。
近年来全球的气候愈来愈奇怪。就拿我们所居住的马来西亚来说,过去九皇爷诞过后,天气就会转晴,但现在还是每天下雨。同样的,以往农历新年期间天气特別炎热,可如今却经常下雨。这种十分不正常的气候,在全球每个地方都出现。例如海啸对本地人来说,之前是遥不可及的事情,如今只要印尼或菲律宾大地震,气象局马上就要发佈海啸警报。
有句名言:“人类从歷史学到的教训就是……人类永远学不到教训。"《明天过后》和之后的《2012》电影放映后,不少人开始关注全球暖化的问题,而今天的地球其实已经是病入膏肓,但大家所谓的拯救地球,似乎仅止於口號,通常是说一套做一套,只看到眼前的利益。
也许人类真的要等到世界末日来临时才会醒悟,只是到时有多少人会像杰克和他儿子一样幸运存活呢?

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

林吉祥:盟党表里不一,国阵失领导国家诚信


(吉隆坡29日讯)民主行动党国会领袖林吉祥说,不管第十三届全国大选成绩如何,越来越明显的是国阵盟党在各个族群中表里不一,不断散播荒诞无稽的谣言,已经失去继续领导国家的诚信、合法性与道德权威。
他今日发表文告说,源自国阵阵营的最新报告显示,来届全国大选,国阵预期能够贏得比上届大选140席更多的国会议席,即使在最坏情况下,也能贏得120议席而继续执政。
他指出,这只是国阵针对最坏情况推算出的其中一项模擬结果,其分析范围从国阵丧失对国会多数议席的掌控,以至最糟情况,如国阵仅能取得少过100个国会议席。
他说,来届大选是选民自我国独立以来,第一次拥有能够扮演举足轻重“造王者"的角色,以决定是否將有一个新联邦政府的诞生,但前提是需要极力確保全国大选是自由、公正且是乾净的。

林冠英:万人出席振林山行动党晚宴,“勿错过改朝换代”


  • 李毅平(左)献上鲜花感激卡巴星当年曾为他辩护,脱离铁窗之困。(图:星洲日报)
(柔佛‧新山29日讯)民主行动党旋风再次席捲振林山国会选区,昨晚成功在士姑来五福城露天停车场宴开近600席政治晚宴,出席者更以3万令吉的高价標下有行动党林氏父子签名的该党吉祥物“Ubah"。晚宴直至午夜12时,仍有民眾不愿离席。
由行动党振林山区部举办的“告別腐败,迈向布城"政治晚宴,被该党称为是行动党在振林山,甚至整个柔州有史以来最大型的政治晚宴。
根据大会宣佈,场內共有7千人出席,场外则有4千人出席,合共1万1千人。
当晚主讲人包括行动党国会领袖林吉祥、主席卡巴星、秘书长林冠英、峇吉里区国会议员余德华、升旗山区国会议员刘镇东、柔州联委会主席巫程豪、秘书陈正春、大会主席黄祥鑾、伊斯兰党署理主席莫哈末沙布、公正党副总秘书钟少云和前內阁部长丹斯里阿都卡迪。
林冠英表示,柔州在2008年已经错过改朝换代的机会,2013年时不能再错过,而他相信柔州人民是有勇气及有正义,就好像他的父亲林吉祥就是峇株巴辖人,一生为爭取公平及民主的国家而奋斗,民眾要改变就要投火箭。
他说,人民要的是一个听人民话、为人民做事、给人民期望的政府。
他指出,听人民话的政府应该是强化国家教育,制度化的拨款给独中及承认统考文凭。
他说,做政府的应该要法治,而不是人治,不能因为靠关係而获得政府工程,必须凭实力来爭取。
他表示,当自己成为檳州首长后,已经指示檳州的工程都必须通过公开招標进行,这就是为甚么檳城现在如此乾净。
林吉祥:要改变就有希望
林吉祥说:“我们已经等了55年,再等多6个月就可以改朝换代,因此农历新年时大家忍一忍,不要为了出国旅行而错过改朝换代的机会。"
他认为,明年大选的几率高达60%,但也不能排除另有40%是今年举行大选的可能性,不过无论何时大选,只要柔州人民作出改变,民联入主布城就有希望。
他指出,马华昨天也举办了万人宴会,可惜天不作美,这已经是很清楚的暗示。
卡巴星:人民强烈求变
卡巴星则指出,当晚出席晚宴的人数已证明柔州人民愿意作出改变,而他也有信心来届大选全马人民也会作出改变。
他说,民联三党已经同意,入主布城后,將由国会反对党领袖拿督斯里安华出任首相一职。
他也讽刺马华、民政、国大党在308大海啸中几乎“死掉",这已透露了人民求变的强烈讯息。
李毅平献花感谢卡巴星
此外,曾在內安法令下坐牢10年的李毅平(译音),在卡巴星为他辩护下脱离铁窗生活,所以他特別准备了鲜花感谢卡巴星当年的帮助。

Monday, October 29, 2012

Blocking AES Cameras Shows Pakatan Rakyat Governments cared for the People


Pakatan states to block AES cameras rollout

UPDATED @ 06:32:37 PM 29-10-2012
October 29, 2012
The decision will interrupt the deployment of 40 per cent of the AES network. — Reuters pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 ― All four Pakatan Rakyat (PR)-governed states have decided to suspend the federal government’s controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES) that detects speeding motorists.
“That means 40 per cent will not be installed,” Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said at a press conference today, referring to the 331 out of the planned 831 cameras under the nationwide AES scheme.
“This is because we want to protect the people’s interest.”
The AES cameras, which also captures those who beat traffic lights, is in its pilot phase, with 14 installed in Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.
Following Election 2008, PR now governs Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan.
Lim said approval from state administrations was needed for the project initiated by the federal government.
The state authorities will withhold approval for the installation of AES cameras until they receive more information, he added.
“For the time being, we suspend (our authorisation); we want to have further discussion.”
He also said the PR states also wished to obtain the public’s feedback on the camera system first.
“(It’s) not that we want to encourage the committing of offence as we please, but do it correctly, do it well,” Lim said.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Jaclyn Victor’s ‘Harapan’ is my ‘Harapan’ too — Terence Martin


October 27, 2012
OCT 27 — Jaclyn Victor sang “Harapan Bangsa”.
Jaclyn Victor’s a Christian.
It’s a Christian song of praise and worship.
No one ever pretended it was not.
Perkasa is now out with pitchforks and torches to lynch somebody, anybody; but preferably Jaclyn Victor.
Whatever is next?
No worship services for Christians in Malay in this country?
Or perhaps a government official will make audio, video and photographic recordings of each and every service in Malay in this country? Just to find evidence of conversion, conspiracy and the like?
Or maybe set up an anti-Christian panel comprising people like Ibrahim Ali, Helen Ang, Syed Akbar Ali and the like to put the Christians “in their rightful place”?
The serenity prayer thus reads:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
“The courage to change the things I can, 
“And the wisdom to know the difference.”
I know what I cannot change and what I can.
The wimpy leaders and politicians who allow all this to happen unchecked, that I can change.
And change we will.
Change we must.
For I have as much a right to co-exist peacefully in Malaysia to practise my religious beliefs.
As does Jaclyn Victor.
That hope she sang in the song. That hope I sing in my heart.
* Terence Martin was born into a Christian family, baptised a Christian and will die a Christian. And he loves Malaysia wholeheartedly even with the racists and bigots running wild sowing seeds of division and hatred unchecked.


Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/jaclyn-victors-harapan-is-my-harapan-too-terence-martin/

Perkasa maintains boycott over Malay-language Christian song


October 28, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Perkasa insists Muslims nationwide must blackball popular singer Jaclyn Victor for singing “Harapan Bangsa”, a Malay-language Christian song that the hardline Malay rights group claims is an insult to Islam in the latest interfaith storm to erupt in multireligious Malaysia.
Its secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali also accused Senator Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon of being an “irresponsible” minister in refraining from taking a clear stand on the issue.
The minister in charge of national unity and integration has refused to weigh in on the issue, saying yesterday: “I don’t want to comment on that. They (Perkasa) can boycott as they like. It’s a free country.”
“But when Tsu Koon said it’s the right of Perkasa to boycott singer Jaclyn Victor because this country is free for anyone to voice out, that is a most irresponsible statement ever heard from a minister. Is that the best answer from a Unity Minister?” Syed Hassan told The Malaysian Insider in a text message when contacted yesterday.

Syed Hassan said as a singer whose albums are mostly in the Malay language and who has a large Muslim fan base, Victor should not have sung the song. — File pic
“Can a singer sing any song even if (it) hurts the feelings of others? Is that the right to voice out?” he asked.
As a singer whose albums are mostly in the Malay language and who has a large Muslim fan base, Victor should not have sung the song, Syed Hassan said.
“The song’s lyrics cannot be said to be for Christians because its lyrics mentioned, among others ‘semua kaum, semua bangsa dlm negara ini mengharapkan engkau Yesus.’ (all races in this country hope in you, Jesus).
“Malays, who are Muslims, do not put their hope in Jesus!” he said.
Perkasa deputy president Datuk Abdul Rahman Abu Bakar has also backed Syed Hassan’s call to boycott the former Malaysian Idol winner who has been nominated in six categories for the upcoming Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) awards this November 17 here.
Abdul Rahman told The Malaysian Insider that the group will continue with the boycott “until we got confirmation from JAKIM (the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia)”, over whether it touches on the sensitivities of others.
When pointed out that Jaclyn did not write the lyrics to the song, Abdul Rahman said “it doesn’t matter who write or record [sic]”. He said Perkasa called a boycott because of the wording of the song.
Perkasa’s attack comes as religious tension continues to be stoked in Malaysia in the run-up to the 13th general election, with political parties sparring over the Islam’s position in the country.
Malaysia’s Constitution states that Islam is the religion of the federation and that those who believe in other religions have the right to profess and practise their faith freely.
Victor, a Christian, is the latest person to have been caught in an interreligious firestorm that appears to be driving a wedge between Muslims and those of other faith. Islamic hardliners have alleged Christian Malaysians of conspiring with certain opposition political groups to install a Christian prime minister and create a Christian state without substantiating their claims.
The 33-year-old singer had last week said the “Harapan Bangsa” song is not for commercial purposes and is meant for Christians, pointing out that it was recorded many years ago.
“I recorded that song around 2007 specially for the Christians in Sabah and Sarawak and for the churches. It was composed by a pastor with the message of Malaysia’s peace. As a Christian, I don’t think there’s any wrong if I as a Christian sing the song,” she told Malay daily Berita Harian in a report published last Thursday.
“I am aware, maybe because the song was sung in the Malay language,
(it) caused many to view this as insensitive and think that I am trying to spread Christian teachings. I sung in the Malay language because many Christians in Sabah and Sarawak speak in the Malay language.”
Jaclyn also said the song should not be an issue in Malaysia, where freedom of religion is practised.
Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million-strong population, with many of them in east Malaysia using the Malay language and the word “Allah” to refer to their God.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

国家动物园 II -- 知音人,听听而已

国家动物园(40)
星洲日报活力副刊
2012年10月24日
曾毓林

狮王在小动物举行的心声大会上发表激昂的话,它说:“朕最懂你们重视什么 -- 你们要公平、要有食物、要合理的施政,还有个个可以学母语.........”

许多小动物听完后感动涕零,交头接耳说:“狮王太了解我们的心事了!”

狮王讲完后,豺狼悄悄问:“大王,你打算顺应小动物的心声?”

狮王悄声道:“朕只说懂得他们重视什么,朕有承诺过会满足他们的要求吗?”豺狼思索了一阵,狡点一笑:“大王说话点到为止,处处透着巧妙。”

狮王正色道:“借个耳朵听听牢骚,安抚几句无妨 -- 朕可从来没想听完牢骚后,还得满足他们的需求啊!"

So, Muhyiddin does not want Christians' Support?


Muhyiddin’s boys target Nov 30

Toffee Rodrigo
 | October 25, 2012
According to Muhyiddin Yassin's camp, campaigning in December will give BN a strategic advantage, given that the middle-class and Christians will be distracted.
COMMENT
Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin’s boys want the general election this year. They are pushing Muhyiddin to pressure Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to dissolve Parliament by Nov 30.
Muhyiddin’s supporters feel Nov 30 should be the latest date, or else Umno and Barisan Nasional will be in trouble.
According to them, campaigning in December will give BN a strategic advantage.
The strategic advantage they are talking about is in East Malaysia. A December poll, they believe, will give the Christians (read opposition) less time to campaign, they will be busy with Christmas and have little time to dwell on politics.
And this will be good for the BN as far as Sarawak is concerned as the natives will be also too busy with the festivities to seek out the alternative media. They will thus depend on the propaganda dished out by the government-controlled mass media especially the radio and TV.
In West Malaysia, the middle class, which is seen to be anti-establishment, will be busy taking holidays. Many of them may not be around even to vote if the election is called in December.
And this is what BN needs to win back states like Selangor and Penang.
The Christians in West Malaysia, too, will have little time having to prepare for Christmas, schooling for the children and holidays and may not be around in their respective constituencies.
Muhyddin may get the boot
Najib, on the other hand, does not think so. He believes he is gaining ground with the Christians and needs their support.
Najib reckons MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek’s peddling of the hudud around every nook and corner will compel Christians to opt for the BN even though many in their ranks deplore the BN.
Now within Umno there are two groups with different views.
Muhyiddin’s supporters are convinced that Najib is just wasting time as he knows this is his last term.
Muhyiddin himself is growing increasingly frustrated. He is confident of an even worse showing for Umno-BN than in 2008.
He is sure to make moves to push Najib out sooner than later.
Najib, meanwhile, is fully aware of his plight but does not see himself being ousted the way former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi went.
Najib is as such preparing to remove Muhyiddin from the deputy’s position and has in mind Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to replace him.
Najib believes Zahid has done a good job in handling the Suaram onslaught against him and he wants to reward Zahid.
And Najib has precedence to support him.
Zahid’s as ambitious as Mukhriz
He is doing what former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad did to his deputy Anwar Ibrahim.
This move, if carried out, will sideline waiting Mukhriz Mahathir who has thrown his lot behind Muhyiddin.
Zahid is no novice and will not settle to being a “stop gap” deputy. He will be gunning for leadership and is more apt to win than Mukhriz.
Muhyiddin is hoping to do to Najib what the latter’s father did to Tunku Abdul Rahman.
While Najib does not command the grassroots the same way his father did, Muhyiddin does.
And to Muhyiddin’s advantage he has also the support of others who have clout over their respective grassroots.
How that battle plays out is left to be seen as all ministerial appointments will be the prerogative of the prime minister, and Najib may use that to his advantage.
In the meantime, both Najib and Muhydiin are playing out the best wayang kulit in town.
Toffee Rodrigo is a businessman who spends his free time writing to create awareness. He blogs at Toffee’sTurn.

Friday, October 19, 2012

国家动物园 II -- 都是分红吸引了它!


国家动物园 II (35)
星洲日报活力副刊
曾毓林

麻雀忿忿不平说:“原来猎犬队安装的捕兽夹主要是捉我们小动物,捉得多了,连猎犬的远亲黄鼠狼也还有分红呢!”

猫头鹰也附和道:“猎犬队的猎物不是害虫及飞禽走兽,反而是我们这些小动物。我们快变成猎犬以‘合法’名誉捕猎的食物了。”

麻雀道:“我们真可怜!原该保护我们的猎犬也把我们当食物虎视眈眈 -- 其实,猎犬不是应该把毛賊当猎物才对吗?”

猎犬在磨着利齿。笑道:“捕害虫没有分红,能捉到小动物却有花红,我们当然倾全力去捉小动物啦!”

Thursday, October 18, 2012

UN rep clarifies, comments on corruption misreported



By Susan Loone | 9:02AM Oct 17, 2012
Malaysiakini
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) representative who reportedly praised the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at an international conference said his comments have been misread by the media.
Dimitri Vlassis (left), who is chief of UNODC’s corruption and economic crime branch, said some of his comments and responses during the press conference held in Kuala Lumpur 10 days ago were misunderstood or taken out of context.
Vlassis said he wanted to offer clarifications as consequently those comments were “misinterpreted and may have created erroneous” impressions.

According to the UN representative, he commended the MACC for organising the 6th annual conference and general meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) in Kuala Lumpur.
During the press conference, Vlassis said he was asked about the IAACA conference and whether it was worth the expenditure.
“I responded that IAACA was the only home of anti-corruption agencies and that the conference served the very useful purpose of bringing those specialised agencies together, helping them exchange views and experiences and strengthen international cooperation.
“UNODC has been a supporter of IAACA since its establishment and considers every opportunity to achieve those goals a worthy one,” he added in a statement to Malaysiakini yesterday.
“I commended the MACC for organising the conference and thanked it for its hospitality to all participants, including to me and other colleagues from UNODC or UNDP.”
‘Anti-corruption campaigners horrified’
The MP for Ipoh Timor, Lim Kit Siang, took Vlassis to task for the comments reported by the mainstream media, particularly the Oct 7 New Straits Times report, which Lim said had “horrified” anti-corruption campaigners in Malaysia.
Malaysiakini had sent Lim’s statement to Vlassis via the UNODC’s regional secretariat based in Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct 10, for his response.
Lim, who is DAP national adviser, said the comment by Vlassis was a “major blow” and undermined efforts to get Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s government to find the political will to fight corruption, especially those involving top political and public personalities.
Vlassis was also asked to justify his statement on MACC’s performance, since the Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) had indicated Malaysia’s ranking and score for 2011 to be the lowest on record.
Lim had also slammed Vlassis for using the IAACA Conference to run down the credibility and usefulness of the TI CPI, by dismissing it as “outdated”, “counter-productive” and “does not serve anyone’s purpose”.
As a result of the comments, Lim added, Vlassis appeared to be sending the message to Malaysians that they do not have to be overly worried about Malaysia dropping to the worst 60th ranking with the lowest score of 4.3 in 17 years of TI’s corruption perception survey.
In response, Vlassis said he was asked about corruption in Malaysia and responded that he was not in a position to pass judgment on the matter because it was beyond his mandate and, therefore, inappropriate to evaluate a country’s performance.
No comment on review
He said Malaysia was being reviewed this year under the Implementation Review Mechanism of the UNCAC and the reviewers were the Philippines and Kenya.
The review was proceeding at a brisk pace, which was an indication of how seriously Malaysia was taking its participation in the mechanism.
“Then I said that I could not go into any further details, or comment on the results of the review, because I was bound by a duty of confidentiality imposed upon me…,” Vlassis said.
“In response to a question on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, I said that this was an important tool in raising awareness around the globe, lowering tolerance of corruption and keeping the issue high on the political and societal agendas,” he added.
“However, I expressed misgivings about its continued usefulness, in view of the fact that the complexity of corruption does not lend itself to efforts to reduce everything to a single figure and include it in an index.”
Vlassis said the Implementation Review Mechanism excluded the ranking of states as it has proved that such rankings may be counter-productive.
Countries, he added, should compare themselves only to themselves and not to others, as there were numerous nuances in the implementation of the convention.
He also said he did not have a meeting with Najib and merely shook the prime minister’s hand on the podium during the opening of the conference, where he spoke before Najib did.
“At the press conference, I said that in all anti-corruption efforts, in both the public and private sectors, the tone from the top was key and that Najib’s presence at the opening of the conference carried symbolic significance,” Vlassis added.

KASE questions RM404m ‘mark up’ for AES



Teoh El Sen
 | October 18, 2012
A PAS-linked group claims that there is a "mark up" of RM404 million paid by the local contractors.
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: The two local contractors handling the Automated Enforcement System (AES) may have paid RM404 million more for the speed cameras.
Anti-Saman Ekor Campaign (KASE) legal adviser Zulhazmi Shariff said today that a Transport Ministry parliamentary reply indicated that the private companies implementing the project for the government, namely Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd and A.T.E.S. Sdn Bhd, had invested RM717 million in the nationwide project.
However, he said filings made by their foreign technology partners Redflex Traffic Systems (Australia) and Jenoptik Robot (Germany) respectively showed a much lower cost for the same contracts.
“From what we found from a filing to the Australian Security Exchange dated Dec 19, 2011, Redflex had announced that it has obtained a contract worth more than USD50 million (RM151 million) to install 450 fixed cameras and 140 mobile cameras for Beta Tegap,” he said, showing copies of the filings of both companies which he obtained online.
For Jenoptik Robot, he said the company had announced that it was receiving USD53 million (RM160 million) to install 550 cameras for A.T.E.S.
He said the price included implementation and comprehensive support for five years.
Zulhazmi, who is also a PAS member, said this totalled to about RM312 million spent, which was RM404 million less than the RM717 the local companies had invested.
“That would make the difference of RM404 million. Why such a high mark up price?
“This is pure earning for these companies. Why didn’t the government buy these technologies directly?” he asked.

Money making firms

He alleged that companies such as Beta Tegap and A.T.E.S were merely sleeping partners or even “Ali Baba companies”.
“This shows that these companies are merely for making money,” he said.
“Who are the owners and what are their links to the Road Transport Department and government? All these we will reveal in time,” he added.
Meanwhile, PAS vice-president and Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar said that KASE would continue to lobby for the government to suspend the implementation of the AES project pending a review of its viability.
He said there were studies in some countries that supported his argument that such a system would not stop serious or fatal accidents.
“Yesterday, I saw a TV3 report that showed in London, many are happy with the same AES system. But I read a news report that said that London was the 2nd worse in most dangerous roads in England,” he said.
He said the same report, which quoted an independent study, had stated that Swindon town was the safest road (having an accident rate of 2.0 per 1,000 vehicles) after scrapping its AES system in 2009.
Mahfuz also cited the German autobahn highways which had no speed limit but had a minimum limit.
“I’m not advocating speeding, but I’m saying that this is another case that shows that speeding doesn’t cause accidents. It’s human error that causes accidents,” he added.
He said the government must consider studying the matter in its totality and open up discussions with all stakeholders, “including those from KASE, taxi drivers’ association and Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to find a proper solution.”
Mahfuz today also filed a motion to have the salary of Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha reduced by RM10 on grounds of his “stubbornness” with regard to the project.
AES is a system of cameras at accident-prone areas and traffic junctions which captured photos and videos of those who speed or run red lights.
The system would then automatically issue summonses to traffic offenders within a fortnight.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha said that PAS was “plucking the figure [RM404 million] out of thin air”.
“I don’t know how much the companies [Beta Tegap and A.T.E.S.] spent, because the government didn’t spend a single sen… unless PAS can show proof,” Kong said when approached by reporters outside the Parliament lobby.
He also said that there is no need at the moment to suspend the implementation of the AES project as it is something that will save lives.
“There is no need to do more studies as we’ve studied this for over 10 years. The government was concerned over the high accident and death rates,” he said.
“Whenever there’s an accident, people blame the government, but when the government wants to do something good, there is also resistance.”
On Mahfuz’s motion (to have his salary reduced by RM10) , Kong said that it was something “normal” and he would reply when the time comes.
On BN MPs call for the AES to be suspended, Kong said that many, including those in the government, still do not fully understand the mechanics of the system.
He also said that the Penang government’s plan not to use the system in the state was an “irresponsible” move.
He said that he would have to seek advice from the Attorney-General’s Chambers if the Penang
state government continues to resist.

国家动物园 II -- 好戏在后头

国家动物园 II (34)
星洲日报活力副刊
2012年10月16日
曾毓林

麻雀向猎犬抗议道:“为什么你们频频制定的新规则,都朝小动物开刀 -- 你们的对象不是应对那些公然作奸犯科的衣冠禽兽吗?”

猎犬道:“小动物没有靠山,没有背景,没有势力,可轻易得手。衣冠禽兽们背后都有狮王、老虎或豺狼撑腰,而且还有蜜蜂窝防身,谁敢捅它们?”

麻雀:“所以你们就欺善怕恶了?”

猎犬冷笑不答。

猫头鹰苦笑道:“小动物们,你们再继续忍气吞声,接下来还有更多罪让你们受呢!”

国家动物园 II -- 岂能搁置?怎可检讨?

国家动物园 II (33)
星洲日报活力副刊
2012年10月15日
曾毓林

黄鼠狼问猎犬:“一片反对声浪,你难道不检讨在动物园到处设置捕兽夹的决定吗?”

猎犬道:“不搁置!不检讨!”

黄鼠狼说:“你的立场很坚定啊!”

猎犬苦笑道:“我已经骑虎难下了。我签了账单花巨款买了上千架昂贵和先进的捕兽夹,如果‘搁置’不用,巨款如何过账?这每架捕兽夹都能为狮王带来盈利,这全是最好的自动赚钱工具,能赚钱的勾当还要检讨吗?”

黄鼠狼点点头:“听你这么解释,我还恨你装得不够多呢!”

Say Goodbye to the 'Armor Bearer' Mentality


10:23AM EDT 10/17/2012 
By J. LEE GRADY
To train a new generation for ministry we must get rid of pride and pretension
My friend Charles wanted a mentor. He was eager to learn the ropes of ministry, so he asked an older pastor for training. The pastor agreed—but Charles soon realized the man wanted a valet, not an apprentice. Charles became the man’s “armor bearer.”
The man never took Charles on hospital visits, involved him in ministry assignments or prayed with him. Instead, Charles was expected to carry the pastor’s briefcase, fetch coffee and take suits to the cleaners—with no salary offered. In this case, “armor bearer” was a spiritualized term for “slave.”
This bizarre trend became popular in churches 20 years ago, but it still thrives. It appeals to insecure leaders who need an entourage to make them feel important. Some pastors have even assigned trainees to serve as bodyguards—complete with dark glasses and concealed weapons. These young men are instructed to keep people away from the pastor so he doesn’t have to talk to anyone after a church service (because, after all, the poor preacher might be “drained of his anointing” if he fraternizes with common folks).
Excuse me while I barf!
I’m not sure what is more nauseating: That some pastors think they are discipling young leaders by exploiting them, or that church members tolerate such pompous behavior from a so-called man of God. And we wonder why many young people have stopped going to church?
When I turned 50, I decided to spend most of my energy investing in the next generation. This became my passionate priority because I met so many gifted men and women in their 20s and 30s who craved mentors. Many of them, like Charles, were looking for authentic role models but could only find self-absorbed narcissists who were building their own kingdoms.
If you want to make a genuine impact on the next generation, please make sure you are not infected with the armor bearer virus. Take these steps to adjust your attitude:
1. Get over yourself. As soon as Jesus began his earthly ministry the devil tried to strike a deal with Him. Satan offered the celebrity spotlight by showing Jesus the world’s glory and saying, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me” (Matt. 4:9). But Jesus didn’t buy it. He chose the path of servanthood even though He knew it would lead to the cross.
Today’s insecure leaders don’t realize it’s the devil tempting them to become rock-star preachers. Fame is too alluring. Before they realize it, their heads have swelled and ministry becomes a means to prove their imagined greatness. A leader with an inflated ego will have zero interest in investing in others. You must tell yourself daily: “It’s not about me!”
2. Stay accessible. Earlier this year I led a retreat for young Ugandans who are training for ministry. We prayed together, shared meals and swam at a local pool in the afternoons. When we finished three days of teaching sessions I asked them what they enjoyed the most about the retreat. One guy summarized everyone’s sentiment: “We loved that you were with us.”
Young people today don’t just want our sermons. They want to sit down for coffee after the sermon. They want to ask questions. They can listen to a hundred preachers on You Tube, but when you invite them to dinner, offer to pray with them or take them on a mission trip, you mark them forever.
3. Keep it real. Older Christian leaders have picked up some bad habits that turn off young people. Some ministers preach with affected voices, wear weird hairstyles and insist on dressing like funeral parlor directors—even on their days off. Please talk in a normal voice when you preach so young people won’t dismiss you as a fake. Be transparent, admit your faults and let everyone know you’ve had struggles. Young people don’t want to follow someone who pretends to be perfect.
4. Pour on the encouragement. Many young people today struggle to stay disciplined. Some have addictions. And many of them have attitudes! But you will never reach them if all you do is point out their faults. You have to win their hearts before you address problems. If you saturate them with the love of a caring father or mother, their spiritual growth will amaze you.
5. Don’t cling to power. Jesus was the Son of God, yet He willingly handed His authority over to His disciples and told them to finish the job. Likewise, Paul invested his life in Timothy, Titus, Silvanus, Phoebe and others—and he expected them to go farther than He did. Every good leader is already thinking of his succession plan. If you have a tendency to control, dominate or manipulate people, you must wrestle with God until your pride is crushed.
Young leaders today don’t want to be your butler or your valet. And they won’t follow people who strut and swagger. They are looking for mentors who walk with the limp of humility.
J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma and the director of The Mordecai Project. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. His recent books include 10 Lies Men Believe and Fearless Daughters of the Bible.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

百姓不是国家敌人,臭水驱人群,人群不会臭,而是国阵政府变得更臭


  • 查哈里(左一)向眾人解说利刃铁丝网的用途;右起是查达瑟甘拉、迪达沙敏、莫哈末祖迪及迦玛鲁丁。(图:星洲日报)
1 of 3
(吉隆坡16日讯)大马联邦后备队(FRU)副总指挥助理总监迦玛鲁丁提议,或许未来警方可採用“臭气"的方式来发射催泪弹,让集会者“体上留臭",因而选择回家而不会在外游荡。
也是428听证会旁听警方的迦玛向428勘察团讲解联邦后备队水砲车如何运作时,突然提出建议,或许未来警方发射催泪弹时可以加入一些难以去除的“臭味",一旦在场者接触到此“臭味",就很难再除掉。
他表示,没有人喜欢臭味,为了阻嚇集会者,拥有此“臭味"的人就不敢或害羞到公共场合逛街等,就会选择回家而不在街上流荡。
水砲车可掺2种化学物
联邦后备队第1號部队指挥官查哈里警监(第23名证人)也解说,水砲车可掺杂两种化学成份,即2-氯苯亚甲基丙二((2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile),简称CS)及干顏料(Pigment,粉末与液体混合製成的顏料粉),若掺杂干顏料化学成份的水砲,被射中者的身上会沾上白点,刺痛效果十分强烈,也不容易洗脱。
警方在709集会时有使用掺有干顏料及CS成份的化学水砲,不过,在428大集会却只使用掺有CS成份的水砲,被击中者只会感觉辛辣,效果不会十分强烈。
水砲化学量低过1%比率
迦玛指出,根据国际標准,掺杂化学成份的水砲(水加化学物)不能多过1%比率,否则浓郁的化学物將会破坏该水砲系统,因此发射含有化学成份的水砲化学量,都低过1%比率。
人权委会到FRU总部勘察
瞭解標准作业程序
人权委员会今日到大马联邦后备队总部进行勘察,向警方瞭解在428当天使用利刃铁丝网(Razor blade platedconcertinawire)、催泪弹及水砲车的作业方式,以及瞭解联邦后备队的標准作业程序(SOP)。
人权委员会委员拿督莫哈末祖迪表示,这次勘察团让他们可以更加瞭解警方操作的真实情况,让他们接著作决定时能秉持中立及公正的立场。
从今年7月5日至10月11日期间,人权委员会已进行22场“428大集会听证会",並传召41名证人出席供证。
由於“428大集会听证会"主席拿督许绿娣家里办丧事,无法出席勘察,故由该委员会委员拿督莫哈末祖迪和迪达沙敏率领今日的考察团。旁听警方代表包括助理总监迦玛鲁丁及查达瑟甘拉警长;律师公会及马来西亚半岛新闻从业员职工会(NUJ)旁听代表则是陈永建律师及净选盟2.0代表是李祥溢律师。
警扩音系统不够大声
人权委会建议用更强扩音器
警方也出示他们使用的“指挥官音响"(Sound Commander)扩音系统,经过示范后,眾人发现该音响效果並不大理想,而当天警方共有4台扩音系统。
人权委员会也建议警方使用音效更强的扩音器,而迦玛也表示会考虑採纳类似如在海啸时发出警报的相关音响系统。
迦玛强调,警方行动前有多次发出警告,但每当发出警告,集会者就会欢呼喝彩。
另外,迦玛也表示,警方有考量在庞大人群中,前方的人群因后方推挤下被迫移前的行为,而警方也不会隨意发射催泪弹。
“或许我们会考虑设三重防界限,若他们(集会者)闯进第二层的话,就凸显著他们(闯入)的意图。"
428当天催泪弹向上发射
联邦后备成员也现场示范如何发射催泪弹,包括45度向上发射(远距离)、直射(近距离)及向下发射。
迦玛声称,428大集会警方並没选择向下发射催泪弹,但在709大集会时,曾在吉隆坡中环广场(KL Sentral)发射过。
查哈里也强调,联邦后备队428当天都是向上发射所有的催泪弹。
颈痕或物体击中
询及第四证人张敏诗被催泪弹击中颈项的伤痕是如何造成的,迦玛则回说仍不能確认该伤痕就是催泪弹所致,或许是其他物体击中也不定。
迦玛披露,由於428大集会的人群集会地点很多及人群不断重聚原故,当天5辆联邦后备车队在5个小时內,共发出约900颗的催泪弹;若5个小时不停发射催泪弹的话,发射量可高达约5千颗。
警方设下4层封锁线
另外,428当天负责装置利刃铁丝网(Razor bladeplated concertinawire)的查哈里也讲解该铁丝网的用途,而利刃铁丝网也用於装置在警局篱笆上。
他也向记者们出示照片,显示警方当天4层封锁线,即铁丝网、灌水塑胶路障、钢栏障碍及警方人墙。
此外,人权委员也现场蒐集联邦后备队员其中一人的鞋印,並与第六证人古玛衣服上声称遭警方踩踏的鞋印照片对比,然而两者鞋印似乎有所出入。

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

是水臭还是国阵政府臭?


镇暴队水炮或考虑添加臭剂
警方希望更有效驱散集会者
2012年10月16日 下午1点46分
为了更有效驱散集会者,警方可能考虑在水炮内添加臭剂,以取代目前使用的刺激物。

“我们正考虑,为了威慑作用,我们可能使用人们不喜欢的非常臭(化学物)。”

“我们将会发射,他们(集会者)将会发出臭味,甚至过后都不能去购物中心,所以他们将会回家。”