Screenshots

Yeah...we should build a casino for every town.

I used to enjoy reading your blog Jeff. I think I was too simple minded.

You started banging Kali and Brendan and the NST group. You accuse them of being spin doctors. Nothing new that we already don't know.

But then you begin to take things personally. You ad hominem everything to do with Khairy, Kali, Brendan, Scomi, Singapore, ECM Libra, Maxis, ASTRO.

I appreciate you highlighting these issues. We need to press for accountability from these people.

But it has really become obvious now that you really aren't fighting for and against ISSUES. Rather, you seem to be championing and attacking PERSONALITIES.

I don't understand why you can't accept arguments whenever they are valid, regardless of who made them.

Guna has wrote an opinion, which may be disagreeable (or not). If we really believe in the liberating powers of the internet, knowledge and logic, why do we have to resort to insinuations to disprove an idea?

I (no association with Guna/Vincent Tan) would have written the same thing. What if I wrote down that idea? How would you have presented your argument against that? So what if Guna is lobbying for Vincent Tan if really there is a strong case for a Johor casino?

JEFF OOI says: The credit must go to you. This opinion is YOUR own invention, not mine and I DON'T agree to your assertion.

So it is either of the following:
1. you have something against Guna, so anything that comes out of his mouth is therefore BAD
2. you don't like casinos personally, but you don't have any good argument against it. So you associate it with Guna, and by extension Vincent Tan and his "evil" empire.

JEFF OOI says:Again, the credit must go to you. These two opinions are entirely YOUR own invention, not mine and, again, I DON'T agree to your invention.

Guna and Kali and Brendan may be spinning quite often and have their other "paymasters", but that ought not invalidate all of their arguments and writing.

JEFF OOI says: On the contrary, I supported Gunasegaram's 22 questions for Dr Mahathir, especially on Question 10 (interference of the Judiciary) and Question 13 (Patronage & cronyism). In fact, I had repeated -- three times so far -- to ask Gunasegaram elaborate further on his Question 10 & 13, and I suggested him to start with the infamous Bowman Papers that Malaysiakini exposed some two years ago. The parties involved are still alive, kicking and should be made accountable and answerable. Since Gunasegaram has not responded to this, will I be rude and fixated, as you seemed to imply, if I asked him another time?

Minister Nazri Aziz will appear alongside Kit Siang at a public forum at the KL Chinese Assembly Hall next Monday night, to debate the review of Judiciary. I hope you and Gunasegaram -- any journalists worth their salt that you may name -- would be there to help set the Judiciary system straight. We can't just talk. Act, if it's to further bruise Mahathir's legacy. And someone should bring up the BOWMAN PAPERS. They encased the essence of a judiciary system much interfered by the patronage system and cronyism that Gunasegaram talked about. Can you shoot the right questions for all of us Malaysians?

I am disappointed because now I feel that this promised "blogging revolution" has turned out to be something else. I thought that it would free information and our minds from the powers that be.

JEFF OOI says: Not entirely correct in what you saied. I may have helped promote blogging in Malaysia, but it's the entire blogging movement -- now journalists and politicians are into blogging -- that collectively bring about a "revolution" in opinion-influencing and opinion shaping. I am just a minion in Malaysian blogging.

Instead, what I see now is another bunch of individuals (like you, Rocky and Kadir Jasin) pushing a private agenda (like beating the drum for Mahathir, attacking enemy press outlets, being anti-Singapore).

JEFF OOI says: I have heard of innuendos like yours for donkey times. I am not surprised. It's your perception and you are entitled to own perception. Remember, "we have never had a freer media in this country". You are doing fine. You enjoy the right to dissenting views as much as I do.

At the end of the day, I don't see any difference between you, and your so-called adversaries like Kali, Brendan and Guna.

You have accused your readers and your opponents many things. I suggest you reread some of your suggested readings:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_fallacy

JEFF OOI says: I stand by what I have said, and I have changed my stand my stands often times whenever I am convinced by my readers, who know things more than me. But I reckon, in the future, I am going to make people like YOU angry because of my views over issues in this country (rather than personality) though that's not my intention. But I am here to be Mr Popular so I will continue to make people like angry so long as I keep to national issues with their own merit. I often quoted names because I believe to prevent further malicing the country, the buck must stop somewhere.

NOW, GET BACK TO THE CORE ISSUE IN THIS BLOG TOPIC. What will Muslims in Johor feel if casino is allowed to be built in Danga Bay, which is in close proximity to the Royal houses? Is it just a plain vanilla "business and economy decision"? Answer the question and please don't hijack my blog topic for your sermon.

Bravo Pisang ... well said, I think you have voiced aloud something that has been at the back of all our minds.

Readers feedback ... a golden nugget, mate. Use it well and there is huge room for improvement for this blog and all of us. Pity if screenshots did not practice continous improvement itself.

JEFF OOI says: And that will keep reminding me that I ain't here on a Mr Popular beauty parade.

I support you Jeff Ooi. This is your blog. You're entitled to write whatever you want.

Like what Rafidah said, if you don't like it, you can get out...!!!

My opinion about this blog still stands.

JEFF OOI says: No problem with that.

Just a clarification, I am not angry. I am just disappointed.

And regarding your question:
What will Muslims in Johor feel if a casino is allowed to be built in Danga Bay, which is in close proximity to the Royal houses? Is it just a plain vanilla "business and economy decision"?

1. you have insinuated an extra effect in your clarified rephrased question with the qualifier "which is in close proximity to the royal houses"

JEFF OOI says: Do you know where Danga Bay and Bukit Serene are located in JB? Malaysia invented some history but you just invented another innuendo. Credit goes to you. You understand ad hominem, didn't you?

2. you are asking your readers, many of whom have not even read Guna's article as to why it is just "business and economic decission", to comment. Have you yourself read it Jeff?

JEFF OOI says: Yes I did read the article. I am starting to put myself on guard whether he continues to shoot me using his column -- allegations like "Internet Gangsterism" that smeared one and all.

Well, here is the op/ed anyway:
http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_7c6ff123-cb73c03a-cef6f100-533607ee

Case 1
Danga Bay Casino is built because Muslim sentiment is positive. Politicians would okay it. [ DELETED ]'s casino and integrated resort - okay. Therefore as to your question: What will Muslims in Johor feel? Positive. Plausible case.

Case 2
Danga Bay Casino is built inspite of negative Muslim sentiment. Politicians would never okay it. The casino - not okay. [ DELETED ] won't build it because it is bad business. Therefore as to your question: What will Muslims in Johor feel? Negative. Impossible case.

Case 3
Danga Bay Casino is not built inspite of positive Muslim sentiment. Politicians would okay it. [ DELETED ] won't build it (for some other reason). Therefore as to your question: What will Muslims in Johor feel? N/A. No casino plans hence no opinion about plan.

JEFF OOI says: Your "case building" is anchored on house of cards and wild imagination. You are naming a tycoon as if HE is the beneficiary should Gunasegaram's proposed casino in Johor became a reality. Be prepared to be sued for libel by the victim and this blogger has no problem becoming a friend of the Bench. The responsibility and consequnces for framing what you just said is ENTIRELY yours. Because what appeared on records of Bursa Malaysia/Companies Commission CANNOT be misconstrued in a mischievious "case building" the way you had alluded. You are treading on dangerours waters and you intentionally plug it into my blog. I just want you to be prepared for the consequences, and I am giving you the opportunity to retract your naming of the tycoon in my blog -- within 24 hours from 21:51 September 5, 2006. Be responsible, my friend.

Case 4
Danga Bay Casino is not built because of negative Muslim sentiment. Politicians would not okay casino plan. Therefore as to your question: What will Muslims in Johor feel? Thankful. Plausible case.

Ipso facto: Casino will only be built provided there is positive Muslim sentiment.

Muslims would probably be quite angry with the decision to build for very good reasons. The usual valid reasons.

But if they can set aside that consideration and see it from a "business and economic" point of view, there is a strong possibility that they will accept it. The op/ed states the case as to why it should just be "business and economics" (although that is contentious also).

So no point guessing what the Muslims think, because either way, it will work to their own benefit.

If we really insist: AS to my (futile) GUESS of what Johor muslim's would really think? It all depends on what their politicians tell them. Thankfully, they have a reasonable guy like Shahrir Samad as JB MP. If they can put aside their archaic ideas of symbolism behind, they would certainly accept the case for a casino and integrated resort.

But if they have (Dr. M and PAS types) politicians that continuously shout symbols (national sovereignity? purity?) and not real business and economic sense, then it won't jalan.

It really is a "business and economic decision" if we are willing to cast aside these symbolisms and stereotypes that are unfortunately part of our Malaysian life.

Unfortunately we are letting these politicians and public figures distort our reality with their constant repetition of sovereignity, pride, Malaysia Boleh, nationalism, protectionism, moral purity etc.

I would like to retract the naming of the previously mentioned tycoon.

I would like to unconditionally apologize to the owner and moderator of the blog and also the above mentioned tycoon for the use of his/her name.

I would agree that the blog moderator remove any portion of my comments which he deems offensive and/or libellous following this admission of guilt.

Thanks and sorry Jeff.

Why would Muslims be angry over a casino when you can find gmabling easily available to them and the rest of the young children on TV via those call-in game shows that charges you RM2 per sms / per minute call. Out of a few thousand trying only one winner will get probably rm1000. There is no skill as the questions are easy and usually the host will gv u the answer out right. The authority has already approved of such shows and it is booming over RTM, TV3, NTV7, 8TV and now Astro Ria and WLT. So who needs to go to casino? Just sit at home and relax and enjoy. Easier than buying 4D or Toto.

The negative impact of having a casino far outweighs the positive. An old man's advice, if you befriend a drunk it's still okay as he'll be sleeping after his drink; but if you befriend a gambler then you'll never have peace until he gambled away every sen he has. The family suffers the most. Ah longs and the lot waiting and you don't want to live in fear. The one at the hilltop is more than sufficient. Singapore will gain some economic spin-off from the casinos and that's for sure. The social ills will grow many fold as a prize to pay. They don't call dice the devil's bone for no reason.

Another saying is ' IF you want to kill your enemy, you dont have to murder him by shooting him but by introducing him to gambling...he will die slowly'

My god.. he's is litterally "shooting" from the hip.. Generalizing every single thing about casino. He did not even provide a shread of evidence about income generated from casino or the number of tourist visiting a casino. He is only providing evidence by association.

If he was really advocating gambling for the non muslim, shouldn't he write about the 11 elderly chinese men that was caught by the police for playing mahjong? Why the double standard? On one hand it is not okay to gamble in a coffee shop or even at one's home but it is okay to gamble in a multimillion (dare i say billion) ringgit complex? Oh wait the difference here is the billion ringgit

And to think of the economic and societal consequences of this:

Winners - will probably hop over to Singapore to splurge their new-found riches

Losers - will cause more negative and unwanted societal problems - Ah Longs, and other issues that is typically associated with gamblers when they lose

Ehh dosen't Vincent Tan have an interest in gaming? Is there a hidden agenda here? Maybe (the very new "TDM Slayer") Gunasayasegara can "shoot" (oops maybe not a good/wise choice of words) his answer direct to Jeff Ooi at screenshots.

This is a private fund initiative. If you are in the gaming business, you would want to build a casino where there is a good potential to succeed.
Any business entity can send their proposals to the state and federal government.
But if you highlight the idea in the press as you submit the proposal, the public is aware of what is happening and may also put the authorities some subtle pressure to look at the files more intently.