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Jeff:

This is very dangerous & we should not let this 2 racist news organizations get away with this. Penang government should take appropriate legal action on them.

Yes Jeff, tell it to them. Everytime they make a boo boo we shall strip them bare and shame them. We shall after three time question their sanity. And we shall begin to direct our vitroil towards their loved ones so that they will know of their insanity, prejudice and two-faced nature. I presume with their families and firends these are all basically nice people otherwise!

Jeff,

Pls be voice of reason in Penang.

Why did LGE feel the need to announce abolishment of NEP?

JEFF OOI says: You are wrong. Guan Eng said Penang should be free from the abuses of NEP -- cronyism and corruption. Hence he wanted open tender for government procurement, no private negotiation. That irked Umnoputras who lost in the election while there are Penang Malays who are marginalised by the previous government.

Why couldn't he just have said that "scholarships will be given irrespective of race" or "assistance will be given to the most needy, who may or may not be Malays"

This is a chance for DAP to win the hearts and minds of the Malays and show that they are not the Chauvinist monster as potrayed by UMNO.

I do not know how close u r to LGE, but pls if u haf a chance, remind him that this is the time for strategy.

btw, I am Chinese

Sorry I did not see your post "JEFF for Malaysia" in which u have already declared your intention to help the Malays

Thank you and good luck!

The more evil thing they do, the more the people will reject them. Why can't they realise this? Don't they know people now refers to internet news a lot?

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=32438

Dear Jeff,

That's not enough. They should apologize it publicly through the main page of its newspaper instead of just writing to LGE privately.

Cheap people do cheap things. The BERNAMA chief editor is no difference.

Keep eyes on the ball, but watch out for those sore losers with feet extended ready to trip you up!!! They're everywhere these days.

YB Jeff (cool innit?)

You guys should insist that Bernama publish this letter in their front page. That is the least they can do after the serious damage they have caused to stoke racial tensions.

Another copy should also be faxed to Pak Lah and tell him to check his facts properly next time before opening his big mouth and threatening or warning anyone. He too contributed to stoking racial tension with his comments based on false info. In his position he should check his facts first before making slanderous remarks taht could have far reaching consequences.

The BR should get their act together and also should choose their words carefully. The BN will use their information machinery to **** with the newly opposition administration!

Jeff,

I request your permission to publish this letter from Bernama in my blog to keep more people informed.

JEFF OOI says: Please go ahead. Thanks.

Hi Jeff, is it possible to request Utusan Malaysia to clarify the matter by posting the letter on the press? As this will give our Malay friends a clear understanding on the matter. On the other hand, I am also worried that doing this might prolong the issue and trickling the people's sentimental.

Btw, I hope that our new PG CM could be more sensitive in posting a statement, considering not all the people are ready to accept drastic changes. Our PM has hinted that he does not oppose changes in policies. "...In the 30-minute interview, he (Datuk Sri Abdullah) advised opposition parties in power in some of the states not to allow any community to feel marginalised and to think deeply if they wanted to change policies...Bernama"

I personally think that the first and most important thing that PG new government needs to do is to resume and stabalize the governance of the state and don't give opposition (BN) any excuse to destroy our goal to achieve clean, fair and efficient government.

This is just the beginning of new Malaysia - A Malaysia for Malaysian.

Hah! Serves them right for misquoting Guan Eng. Thankfully that was resolved ASAP.

Bitter sore losers are the norm in the aftermath of GE2008 but thats just the beginning. There may be more attacks in the future.

Chin up Jeff!! :D

You done a good job clearing up what could had been a very messy matter.

Just make sure to continue grabbing hard copies of offending Utusan issues as evidence of use of the paper's inflammatory remarks for later. Saving online articles are also a must since Utusan and Bernama do not archive their articles for very long.

Good luck countering the media bias.

I think Guan Eng should have his own blog or website so that he can give his own views or explanations directly to the people in the event there is any misrepresentation on his comments or views.

He should also engage a professional public relation company to help him with his press release, present the right message and image, and correct any misrepresentation to the public. As CM every word he says is important and has serious impact.

I just do not understand why there are some Malays that just cannot get into their thick skulls that the Opposition in Penang has won the State with the help of the Chinese, Indians and Malays. As such, DAP or any of the Opposition parties will NEVER marginalised any race because it is the various races that gave the Opposition and in Penang's case, DAP the mandate. These lowly educated and shallow thinking Bumiputras which are a result of 50 years of Barisan rule are easily manipulated by BN to do their bidding as they cannot grow up and think for themselves.

I can understand if UMNO protested as with the Opposition in power, it would mean that their days of cheating and corruption in the State are gone but other Malays!!!???

50 years of having the wool pull over the eyes, these Malays have been robbed blind and brainless by UMNO and BN. The NEP in its present form is akin to the foreign powers in China giving opium to the Chinese to weaken them and get them under their control. It looks like the current NEP is the same for Malays. UMNO needs something to hold on to their political control and playing the racial card and giving this crippling 'drug' or 'tongkat' in this case, has proven effective in keeping UMNO in power. It has also given UMNO the power to 'hold' other equally corrupted non-Malay parties in rein within the BN fold. However, many shallow thinking Malays think that they will really benefit with the NEP under UMNO. Alas, it is only the select few that walk the corridors of power and their cronies.

Talk is cheap. Look around to see after closed to 40 years, was there a fair distribution of wealth amongst the Malays? Have the standard of living really improved for the better for the majority of Malays? Have the non-Malays sacrified enough under this unfair practice to benefit only some privileged Bumis? Importantly, the country has made itself uncompetitive against other countries in the global arena simply because it did not get the best people for the job - all in the name of NEP and Ketuanan Melayu. It seems like the whole country is moving in slow motion for a particular race to catch up while assisted with a program that really did not filter down to them. A new NEP should be drawn up - one that will help all races that are poor to rise above the poverty level that they are currently in. The Govt should also be based on meritocracy and get the best person who can handle the job - not because of one's skin colour. We are not competiting against Malaysians but the world. In the process, this will also help re-build the trust and bonding amongst all races.

I believe strongly that the DAP, PKR and even PAS's intention is true and honourable with the objective of re-building a Malaysia that is prosperous and free of corruption, cronyism, racism, marginalisation and what-have-you.

If we, yes me include, have given UMNO and BN the mandate to run the country into the ground for the last 50 years, why can’t we give the Opposition an un-hassled 5 years for them to prove themselves? If they have not fulfilled their election promises after their term is up, we can kick them out then. Till then, give them the leeway to do what they think is right.

they still live in stone-age, wake up!

That's a non-apology apology.

The misquotes have already been aired and they have dire consequences. It is vital to our National Interests that BERNAMA explicitly and publicly apologise or at least issue a correction for their articles.

If they refuse to do so, then it would show that Selfish, not National, Interests are their main priority.

cheers

Jeff,
I understand that you are pressed for time.
Would it be possible for you to publish your donation drive's accounts? I had mentioned this sometime back and you had replied that you would.

JEFF OOI says: I am going to do this over the week, looking to the March 20 public holiday. The last one week immediately after the Polling Day was to help set up the state government and engage the investors.

I remember reading a reader's comments in Malaysia Today. He suggested that the new Penang CM go around to the Malay areas and explain the state government's policies to the people. I believe this to be an excellent suggestion. The people need to feel that they are part of the team. The fact that the CM has come to their area speaks a thousand words.

Taking another page from the Barack Obama campaign here in the US, to be a successful CM, everyone needs to feel that someone is looking out for them. Stop thinking about race, religion or creed. Think of your state's population as human beings. With humility, you open doors and eventually earn, undivided loyalty.

The people of Penang need to feel that everyone is in the boat together. They should know that they will sink or swim together.
SM

I take back what I said about BERNAMA. They've owned up publicly.

M A L A Y S I A --- On 8th March 2008

You and I have lived to see this day.

In one stroke, all the four west-coast / west-Malaysian "thinking" and urban states stopped tolerating their prolonged sufferings -- Penang, Perak, Selangor, and FT Kuala Lumpur.

Within this very heartland of Malaysia. From the prime intelligentia of the country. And in the most central and pivotal hub of power and wealth in this nation.

These four different and differing masses of voters acted wilfully and decisively with just one aim alone -- and that was to get rid of the source -- the Creators of the decay, of injustices, of the wrongs, of the sufferings and hardship, the fears, the imbalances, the corruption, and simply of the OVERALL ROT !

They had just one wish in mind, and carried out just one simple act of vote casting.

For the first time, these city folks and the urbanised rural folks have now come to realise what democracy is really all about. And despite the pervasive brainwashing and incessant lies, the well-organised and orchestrated campaigns and media onslaughts on our minds, none of these have worked.

It matters not what you pump into the masses, for once they can rationalise and rise way above the lies, the wayang-wayang kulit, and the magic shows, nothing can stop the combined will of spontaneously and proactively pre-decided mass voting.

The doctrine of universal sufferage has finally been put to effective use in this country, ever since the clock struck midnight on 31st August, 1957.

YOU AND I (and all Malaysians) HAVE INDEED LIVED TO SEE THIS DAY !

Our heartfelt gratefulness and tear-filled happiness are inexplicably overwhelming

Jeff,

I just posted my comment at Zorro, expressing my disgust at the going-on the past few days.

Unless you share the views of some of mind boggling statements & actions by DAP, please kick their asses & drum in some common sense in those narrow minded idiots.

If that fails, go join PKR or PAS. Go read RPK"s "Small things please small minds"

He said it all. DO SOMETHING!!!

Dear Jeff & DAP,

Congratulations on your election victory in Penang! It has been a heart warming experience to see the results and the wave of changes for the better.

I would like to ask DAP, The CM of Penang and yourself, Not to eradicate the NEP in totality but reshape the policy to be more transparent and fair where the deserving Malays will get their rights and share.

For a young country like Malaysia, what has happened is unprecedented and Malays, Chinese and Indians who have voted for change has shown even the Americans that we are able to handle democracy.

However, like all things too much changes too quick could cause unnecessary ripples. Rather, please show by action,work and results to the Rakyat especially Bumiputera before even making any changes/comments on NEP.

Rom tidak di bina dalam satu hari.

Now that the people has voted you into the office along with fellow colleagues in PKR & PAS, please kindly be super-extra careful with press releases/conference etc.

You all know what's going to happen once the hungry govt-controlled medias would do if they can play up even 1 particular word.

So, please go through your press statements again and again, and ensure that the currrent Opposition would not have a chance to shoot back at you. Be flawless.

If needs be, go train up or develop yourselves in handling the media esp in giving out press statements/releases.

Another thing to watch is the attitude of the party members or state officers. Smile a lot. Win over the people with charm. Handle tough questions with humility and respect. All the things you'd want to see when a leader gives press statement.

I know it's not easy as it seems. But these are crucial moments when you do not want your Opposition to take a snipe at petty litte things especially when it quoted out of your press releases/interviews etc.

So, I hope this makes sense to all new MBs/CMs and state officers.

As in big organisation, people are the most important asset. So, develop the people well and with the will of God, things will just get better!

Again Jeff, the people has voted you and your colleagues in. Your duty are towards the people. Take good care of them. Always remember where we all came from. Never lose the sight of the people.

"Brother....what we do in life.... echoes in eternity" - The Gladiator.

My best wishes to you and your colleagues.

Hi YAB, Jeff and DAP,

I am from Malacca but I was in Penang for holiday from Wednesday till yesterday. Yesterday, I heard YAB was in Raja Uda where I put up a night at my sis-in-law place. Too bad I did not have the time to go meet with YAB because I was rushing to get things done before pushing off back to Malacca. Please send my (our) regards to YAB LGE. (I called his number but his assistance answered the call)

BN is now "Opposition" in Penang. And remember, DAP, PKR and PAS are "Barisan Rakyat". Make a change.

It will be long hard road ahead. Please be careful and especially in the next few months where Badawi may step down and cause a flash election. Right now, they are collecting anything out from your mouths and use them to attack the new government to instill fear and unrest among the people so that they can use it to retaliate in a flash election. So, be very careful from now on and also please keep your words. Do your best to prove that voting DAP is worth it.

Take legal action to force Utusan and Bernama to publicly apologize. They have to be responsible for their mistakes and be responsible to make public apology. No private letter please. So what YAB and a few DAP and DAP blogs readers know about it. The whole Malaysia RAKYAT need to know. So, sue them for billions of ringgit so that you can use the money to develop Penang! Federal don't give you money, get it from their machines. Sue them, sue them hard! It won't bother me because I don't read these mainstream newspapers.

BTW, Jeff, can I republish the letter at my blog?

JEFF OOI says: Yes please!

dear all
As I had suspected, UMNO and its machinery are up to something.. to create trouble.

please read my writing on the same subject at my blog
www.rights2write.wordpress.com

Under the heading.. nasihat penting kepada orang melayu pp

Jeff,

I have for a long time maintained that the state of the economy of any community might be reflected in its soccer team. A case in point, Myanmar. Once upon a time, when it was Burma, their soccer team was to be feared. Their economy was then challenging the Malaysian one as well. Then their soccer team fell before their economy broke.

So, lets see what you do with the Penang Soccer team in the Malaysia Cup!..Would be interesting to also see how you guys nurture the teams of the remaioning states you guys control. And if you can show the change in attitude on the field...it could also rub off in state affairs as well.

I believe Penang will prosper with the rein of opposition DAP.There is no obstacle to run the administration of the state.LGE has the backing of capable people to run the state and his hands are not tied by the govt. so I believe we, Penangites would be the first state to achieve dev.status by another few years to come.

So, show UMNO we can dev.Penang without fear or favour and do what you think is right for the benefit of Penang. My heart and soul is with you after waiting for 40 years to see the rocket shooting up the sky.Syabas, show UMNO what we can do without the tongkat?

Dear Yang Berblog Jeff Ooi,

As I went through SinChew's website, I found an utterly ridiculous remark made by CM Lim...

He said he would fight for the Penangites' "Malaysian Bonus" (which is the mimic of the Singaporean Bonus)...

As CM Lim has no blog or public email that I know of, I can only comment on the remark in your blog.. :D

CM Lim should act more like a CM instead of an Opposition leader in the future, such ridiculous remark is not even worth for an opposition leader's mouth, save to say a CM... CM Lim should stop picking PM and really move on to start doing things with the Penangites...

I believe Penangites prefer to have a better relationship with the federal government, such claim could only do harm for Penang and Federal's relationships... CM Lim should avoid making such insensitive remarks in the future...

On the side note, I believe CM Lim should start to blog and open up more channels, for the rakyat to keep in touch with him, instead of using the you-know-who-controlled news media...

Cheers,

A faxed apology is a small token for such a breach of journalism.

Suggest the next time should insist on front page apology PLUS a donation of not less than RM100k to some charity in Penang.

NEP is too long in the history. Many Malaysians are living with it without knowing what is it, what is the pros & cons and loophole in NEP. Since young, I was taught that questioning NEP is a sensitive issue. Moreover, it could get into someone's nerve should there by any statement about the abolishment of NEP. Instead of telling people that NEP is not a good thing to continue, I feel it is better for all Malaysians re-learn what is NEP & make their own judgment. Would the new Penang government taking the lead to re-educate the people?

Dear YB Jeff and CM LGE(could not get his email)

Congratulations!
As part of the silent majority that voted for you guys to be in office, we have high hopes and big expectation that you will make Penang a cleaner state in all aspect.
It seems to me however since LGE been into office, the most thing he has done is crossing sword (words) with Pak Lah over the mainstream media, which is of no advantage to Penang. You guys have won and we are behind you all the way. At the same time we expect good announcement or plans on how Penang will be improve by LGE's gov after so many things that BN did not and could have done in their time in office. This is will show and prove that we Penangites have made the right choice. We don't need LGE to re-assure us by making daring statements over the media(such as supporting DSAI as PM) which is an open invitation to those losers to incite further street rallies and protest. Let's get to work!
Apologize for dumping my opinion on to you blog as I could not find LGE's email.

Expecting a better Penang

The position is changed now!

All DAP ADUNs/MPs should attend training on communication, learn how to be a spokeperson.

In corporate sector, senior management must attend this type of training so that they know how to handle the press and the analyst.

BTW, there are so many professional Penangites in Klang Valey, if Penang government need help, just voice out. Senior politician not necessary good in policy making.

Hi YB Jeff,

Can the Penang Govt start giving out licenses for newspapers and other form of media in Penang? Open it out to have free competition where there is democracy and freedom of speech. The current media as everyone knows is bias towards BN and seditious.

Also, I think the Penang State Govt should ban these 2 papers and for the matter any form of other media that is seditious and inaccurate in their reporting. I am also disgusted with Star's Wong Chun Wai's reporting as it is one sided and obviously very BN skewed. If these papers continue to be reporting inaccurately and with lies, it is tantamount to trying to fan unrest in Penang and in the other 5 States. Something would have to be done.

Bernama and Utusan are both infact federal govt.properties and surely they are going to create problems to the opposition ruling states.

I hope DAP and partners are wise enough to fight them with the transparency,just and fair,clean and corruption free and I believe the rakyat would support them even in the next GE.The people are already fed-up with the corrupted regime and needs to change broom to sweep away the polluted dust acumulated over the past years.

malaysia in a state of flux?

http://sophiesworld-sophiesworld.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-beginning-for-malaysia.html

In any ideal democracy, the National Agencies, whether it be the Election Commission, the National Bank, the National News Agency, etc, they all should be Autonomous, meaning they should act and function in the unbiased manner irrespective of which party is in power.

But in Malaysia, Bernama - the National News Agency - seems to act like wagging its tail to the BN/UMNO. And you all know which animal wags its tail. It is time for Bernama to sort out its irresponsible behaviour.

No wonder people in other parts of the world (and in Malaysia too) don't have faith in Bernama news. Bernama will lose credibility if it does biased news broadcasts like these.

This will be a forever wild goose chase.

Are new state government keep countering every false news using the mainstream media itself?

Jeff, I've just emailed sdr. guan eng information on PBA that needs urgent attention !

I wanted to email the same info to you also but couldn't, since I do not have your email address.

PBA is a publicly listed company, with 50% of the shares owned by the Penang government. Currently PBA is making over 32 Million ringgits a year.

While it sounds wonderful, PBA's BOD is still filled with old guards from BN, like Koay Kah Wah & Co.

The managing director of PBA is an UMNO appointee, who is, incidentally, very loyal to UMNO.

Here lies the danger: Since PBA is a publicly listed company, with BOD still filled with BN people - they could easily sabotage the current Penang government by directing PBA to invest in, say, a water treatment project in the middle of the Sahara desert, where no water is to be found.

In such a project, PBA could have incur a hefty loss, of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Since the Penang government owns 50% of the shares of PBA, the banks will come after the Penang government for the loss.

While what I am telling you is all hypothesis, the message I want to convey to you is that you should take a look at PBA and try fix it before it is too late.

One more thing about PBA - PBA's next AGM is only a month away. You guys better work fast or something may happen.

Me and my friends are are still sorting through tons of information looking for potential pitfalls for the current Penang government, and if we find something new, I will contact you again.

Similarly, if you need to contact me, you can email me at abetterpenang@gmail.com

Thanks for reading.

PS. Be careful when you deal with the Managing Director of PBA. That Malay guy is very vengeful. He is extremely loyal to UMNO and he really dislike DAP.

PPS. Do not post this message online. I don't want to alert BN for I don't want them to take action on you guys before you have a chance to defense yourself. Any correspondence please make it through email. It's safer that way.

Hi Mr Ooi

I hope you don't mind. I've copied the above article you wrote and posted it on my blog.

If you do, please just contact me and I will take it down. Thanks very much.

Nigel

JEFF OOI says: Pls go ahead Nigel, and thanks.

Glad you got elected to Parliament. Will see you on Level 28 one of these days to talk stories.

If new MPs etc need comm and leadership skills I suggest they could ask ToastMasters Clubs in Penang to help.

I watched LGE speech on Utube and think he could have done better. For example, the camera did not show his hand gestures and he appeared rather stiff.
There is a particular manual for Tv presentations.

BTW Gerald Green who an Acreditted Speaker, the highest level is from Penang.

http://www.toastmasters.org/websiteApps/

Hi All, this is no effort to proselytize.

This is a story of Zulkarnain, a great personality mentioned in the Koran and earlier ancient scriptures. Let us take a small glimpse into humanity in the past and compare that with ours in Malaysia.

On his excursions around the earth Zulkarnain reached a certain community that practiced utmost justice.

Zulkarnain said, “Tell me about you. For I have visited the east and the west, the deserts, mountains and plains, the light and darkness. But I have never seen people like you.

Why have you made the graves of your dead right opposite the entrance of your houses?”
“So that we may never forget death,” they replied.

“Why have you not fixed doors to your houses?” asked Zulkarnain.
“Because we have no thieves and cheats. All of us are trustworthy.”

“Why didn’t you have any officers and administrators?”
“We do not oppress each other,” they said.

“Why are there no rulers amongst you?”
“Because we do not fight among ourselves.”

“Why are there no kings among you?”
“Because we do not exploit each other.”

“Why is there no disparity among the people as regards their economical condition?”
“Because we consider all people equal and we distribute equally all the excess profits. And we have mercy upon each other.”

“Why are there no disputes and controversies among you?”
They said, “Because we are loyal to each other and we do not have corruption.”

“Why don’t people murder and imprison each other?”
“We have control over ourselves with correct intentions; we have guided ourselves with forbearance and self-respect.”

“How come you have the same opinion and correct way of doing things?”
“Because we never lie.” And we do not backbite and criticize each other.”

“How can you account for the complete absence to the poor and destitute among you?”
“It is so because we distribute our wealth equally.”

“Why are there no vicious and cruel people among you?”
“Because we have made humility and lowliness as our symbols.”

“Why is your life-span greater than ordinary people?”
“Because we fulfill the rights of each other and rule with justice. We do not oppress.”

“Why do you never experience famines?”
“Because we never forgo repentance.”

“Why are you never sorrowful or aggrieved?”
“We control ourselves during calamities and console ourselves in difficult times.”

“Why do disasters never strike you or your property?”
“Because we do not rely on anyone but God and we do not consider the stars as causes of calamities. We regard all affairs from our Lord.”

Zulkarnain asked them if they had seen their forefathers practicing the same things.

“Yes,” they replied, “Our elders were also kind to the destitute, behaved equitably with the beggars. If someone oppressed them, they forgave. If someone did evil to them, they responded with goodness. They did not pilfer the trusted property. They spoke the truth and refrained from lying. Because of all this, God improved their conditions.”

After having acquired all the information, Zulkarnain decided to settle among them. He remained there until the time his soul departed for the heavenly abode. His age was 500 years.

before we start to come to several conclusions on LGE commitments to Penang, lets ask ourselves are we being fed with the right information day in day out through local media.

2ndly, are we making justified conclusions base on such a short time frame of events? After all, how long has LGE been in the office? It is barely even a month. Lets stop harping on the same issue, this is sickening.

Hi Jeff,

Can you please pass this message to your fellow MPs in DAP not to make a fool of themselves in Parliament and get themselves purposely kicked out over something very silly like previously. We vote them in to fight and not kicked out of Parliament. Yes principle is principle but if they want you to apologise, then apologise if the matter is small and did not infringe party principle.

They know well that your MPs are not going to apologise so they throw the book at them and kick them out. Our votes were also thrown down the drain in the process.
Something we begin to wonder is it these MPs purposely get thrown out of Parliament so that they dont have to attend anymore. If that is the case then they should the the party HQ that they are not interested and let others who are willing have to serve a chance.

Jeff,

Here's more on our Malaysian media.

I would say bravo to Berita Harian for being the only newspaper to highlight Lim Kit Siang's apology to the Sultan of Perak on March 18, 2008. I went around asking friends who read various papers and below is the summary of papers that covered the story (and not) based on their input.

Featured
1. Berita Harian - Yes, Main, Pg 1

No Signs of Apology
2. Guang Ming Daily
3. Sin Chew Daily
4. NanYang Siang Pau
5. China Press
6. Kosmo
7. Harian Metro
8. Utusan Malaysia
9. The Malay Mail
10. New Straits Times
11. The Sun
12. The Star

However, in the days that ensued, probably due to criticism by the public, the apology was mentioned in some papers but the manner it was presented suggests that the apology was mentioned in passing or that it was meant to be buried in obscurity. Quite a stark contrast compared to the wide coverage lambasting Lim Kit Siang on the boycott.

actually is hard to LGE BN wont give hin easy things ....

i think they take out the article by GOV (do dirty trick)