Piracy Crackdown

 

Found out about this piece of news from Facebook’s shoutout and went to search for confirmation. Unfortunately I did not manage to find any on The Star Online but I did manage to return some results from The Sun. 

It seems that the Malaysian Police have received new directives to crack down on movie and music piracy. 

These new directives will see police officers setting up road blocks to search vehicles for pirated discs and they may also search homes.

Here are some of the excerpt from The Sun :

The Police’s Side :

IGP orders crackdown on music and movie piracy

KUALA LUMPUR (April 15, 2009) : Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has directed state police chiefs to crack down on music and movie piracy, China Press reported today.

Following the directive, police are expected to get tough with pirates. Their action will include setting up roadblocks to check vehicles for pirated discs.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Khalid said police raids on houses, hawkers centre, restaurants and commercial premises are usually carried out on public tip-offs.

Full Story Here via The Sun

The NGOs : 

NGOs against police raiding homes for illegal discs

GEORGE TOWN (April 15, 2009): Several Penang-based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are against the police’s move to raid residential houses for pirated discs.

 

Penang Consumer Protection Association (PCPA) president K.Koris Atan said the move was “not feasible and ridiculous”, adding that it was just a rumour being circulated by the public.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Meanwhile, Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) said the crackdown in the circulation of pirated DVDs and VCDs should begin from the source, not the consumers.

“Even if they (the police) were to go after the consumers, the pirates would be able to make their way to put their products in the market,” said CAP vice-chairman Mohideen Abdul Kader (pix).

He added that the police must have a warrant from the court for them to enter people’s residence to search for pirated goods.

“However ,this is a gross invasion of privacy of the residents in their own houses,” said Mohideen.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) Penang coordinator Lau Shu Shi said: “It is an invasion of privacy of any civilian.

“Without the necessary information and warrant, the police cannot simply enter anyone’s house or pry into someone’s car at a roadblock,” she said.

Full Story Here via The Sun

My Opinion :

It is impossible. Period. The focus here is totally wrong wrong wrong! Checking vehicles and homes?! In my opinion, it is a waste of time. The amount of vehicles (let’s just forget about the homes) in Malaysia alone is staggering. I do not think the police force is large enough to go against the whole nation. 

Even if the police force is large enough, let’s face the facts here. Eliminating pirated discs alone will not stop piracy. It will not even cause a dent in my opinion. Piracy will still go on simply because there is this thing called the Internet and this term called Download. 

I am guessing most of us here today no longer purchase discs anymore simply because we can get whatever we want by just exercising out fingers on the keyboard and mouse. We don’t even have to go anywhere. This type of piracy won’t even have a physical form. There won’t even be a disc (well unless you decided to burn onto one).What the police are going to do next? Search our computers? Even so there are virtual drives online where we can store our data. Then what?

To put it in a crude way, indirectly, the very technology that we have created to help us, are the very ones that made piracy possible. And with the invent of the internet, piracy has gone from local to global. I posted a post a few days ago showing just how fast things are moving nowadays. It is just impossible to stop it. You will be up against the whole world!

My point here, after taking you for a long walk around the park is that, the police are wasting resources and time. They should instead spend more time on ensuring public safety, maintaining peace and solve the many crimes that needs solving, not this – curbing piracy. I just feel that it’s wasting the tax payers’ money. 

What Say You?

Barrack Obama Wins!!!

I am not very much of a politic fanatic. But this would definitely be interesting. Lets see how this will shape our world now.

Published: Wednesday November 5, 2008 MYT 12:03:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday November 5, 2008 MYT 12:17:10 PM

Barack Obama elected president

WASHINGTON (AP): Barack Obama was elected the nation’s first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.

The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states – Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.

A huge crowd in Grant Park in Chicago erupted in jubilation at the news of Obama’s victory. Some wept.

McCain called to concede defeat – and the end of his own 10-year quest for the White House.

Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, will take their oaths of office as president and vice president on Jan. 20, 2009.

As the 44th president, Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.

The popular vote was close, but not the count in the Electoral College, where it mattered most.

There, Obama’s audacious decision to contest McCain in states that hadn’t gone Democratic in years paid rich dividends.

Obama has said his first order of presidential business will be to tackle the economy. He has also pledged to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months.

Fellow Democrats rode his coattails to larger majorities in both houses of Congress. They defeated incumbent Republicans and won open seats by turn.

Source : The Star Online

What Has Happened to Malaysia???

It has been some time since I publish anything about politics nation stupidity. But this particular news caught my attention. It happened last Friday but because I did not purchase any newspaper over the weekend, I only learnt about this today.

Well, its regarding the arrest of the Sin Chew daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng under the ISA Act. I simply cannot understand why our ISA Act is being invoked so frequently without any valid reason. I am speechless. I just can’t comprehend the stupidity here. ISA invoked to “protect” someone. I can’t stop myself from laughing out loud.

Anyway, here’s the article.

‘My 18 hours under the ISA’

By TAN HOON CHENG

On 12 September, about eight thirty in the evening, I was at my home in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. While enjoying my yew char koay (fried dough stick), I was worried about the show cause letter issued to Sin Chew Daily, and anxious about the days ahead for my newspaper.

Suddenly, a group of plain cloth police officers appeared at my front gate. The person who started to identify the group and the purpose of this visit was a woman officer. She was also the only one in her uniform.

Through the gate, she told me that I have to follow them to the Police station, in response to that I told her that unless they have a warrant of arrest, I will not open the gate. At the same time, I immediately rung up the legal adviser of our company and my direct superior, seeking their advice.

Later, the female officer told me that they are arresting me under Internal Security Act, therefore a warrant is not required. On hearing that, I was immediately was prepared for the worst.

I have to act calm, comforting my parents and reassuring them that my colleagues would be waiting for me at the police station to render assistance. When I was taken away, my parents acted strongly, they kept on asking the police to accord me with proper treatment.

I was brought to Seberang Perai Tengah IPD (district head office), and I was placed in a chilling cold room while waiting for the police to begin their paperwork. I was accompanied by a female officer who seemed to be trembling as a result of the low room temperature as well. To break the silence, I initiated a conversation. She told me, “You seemed to be very calm.”

I told her, “I am arrested under the Internal Security Act, even though I am scared, I have to face this reality. But I am worried about my parents, friends and relatives, they must be very worried about me.”

To be frank, I was very cool-headed. I believed that there must be a lot of people out there supporting me, giving me the strength that I need, so I must stay strong, to be with these people who are supporting me.

The police recorded all my personal belongings, these were later taken away from me. After that, I am considered ready to be sent to the Police Contingent Headquarters in Penang. When I was brought out of the police station, I realised that a lot of my colleagues in the media, together with representative from different parties and groups were already waiting outside the Police station to show their support. Seeing this,I was deeply touched, I could no longer hold my tears.

When the police car arrived at the station’s entrance, my superior, Puah Eu Peng, our Northern Region Manager, tried to halt the car with his body, to slow the police car’s movement. He knocked at the window, to make sure that I was in the car and gestured to show me his support.

I instantly wiped off my tears, I realised that a lot of them are staying with me, I must be with them as well.

After taking my thumbprints, I was given my dinner and arranged to spend my night in remand. It was not to my knowledge that my colleagues in the profession and people from different groups and parties were there to show their support, right outside that station.

I requested the female officer to keep the lights on. She told me not to worry, she will not switch off the lights. The police also informed me that I would be meeting my parents tomorrow morning at eight. I have spent a very long time, thinking of everything that I have to tell my parents. I have lost touch with the outside world this is my only opportunity, I must cherish it, to clearly explain everything to my parents.

After clearing my mind and organising my thoughts, I tried to sleep while lying on the wooden bed with the company of the mosquitoes and the noise of water dripping. I have no idea what tomorrow holds for me, but I know I have to be in my perfect condition to handle everything.

I have never suffered from insomnia and this very night, I finally experienced it. Deep down in my heart, I know that those who care about me, would also be experiencing the same, my heart wrenched thinking of that.

At 6 o’clock in the next morning, when I was about to wash up, the female officer passed me the clothing brought by my parents. I was surprised; everything was new, the toiletries, t-shirts, shorts, panties.

I later discovered that the ‘parents’ that the police officer was referring to were a bunch of my colleagues. While waiting outside the Penang Police Contingent Headquarter, they have prepared all these for me. They were uncertain when I would be released, but they told themselves that they must get these necessity items ready in the briefest time possible.

I met my parents and bided them goodbye, the police informed me that they would bring me to the Police Headquarter in Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur. My heart sank, I told myself this is the beginning of it, I must brace myself for everything.

After few turns of event, I was eventually brought to the Perak Police Headquarter in Ipoh. After a brief interrogation session, I was brought back to Penang Police Headquarter again.

It was here, where I was interrogated further. I told myself to keep my mind clear, I must tell them the truth, and respond appropriately.

After the interrogation session, I was brought to see another higher-ranked officer, he told me, “We can both go home now!”. Both of us turned to the clock on the wall, the time was 2.25p.m.

This my 18 hours under ISA. I have gone through a lot

After being released, I received a lot of messages, telephone calls and bouquets. My colleagues in the press, representatives from political parties, society leaders, schoolmates, classmates, friends and relatives have visited me at home. Of course, not forgetting the readers and the public who called up or visited Sin Chew Daily’s office in Penang or the Head Office in Petaling Jaya.

Calls, messages, well wishes, and visits from readers and friends. To all of them, I have to express my deepest gratitude. During that 18 hours which was filled with a lot of uncertainties, I felt that there is some unknown strength that has supported me throughout, I knew it must be from you all, those whom I knew or have not met!

I realise that our journey is still full with challenges and obstacles, so we have to continue the same righteous spirit and courage that we have all shown this time! Our society needs this spirit, to build a better tomorrow.

I have finally been freed, but I hope Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamaruddin and all those detainees under the Internal Security Act, could be released as soon as as possible. If the authorities think that they have broken the law, they should brought to the court of law to receive transparent and fair trials.

This article is extracted from The Star Online

Next Surprise – Sodomy Allegations & Death Threats

Just like I said before, nowadays the nation seems to be in store for lots of surprises and the latest one being Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim faced with a new sodomy allegations on Saturday, and just last night on the news I heard about him taking refuge in a Turkey embassy for fear of his personal safety.

This sodomy stuff happened way back in 1998 and now in 2008 it happened yet again? Wow a tenth year anniversary? When in 1998, I thought Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a bad person, and throughout those years he remained as one. Until recently when evidence starts to emerge pointing to that 1998 incident as one that is being orchestrated.

I just feel that its funny and weird. Why of all times, it has to happen now? This is a crucial time. Just months after the new election. I do believe in coincidence but then this is just hard to believe. Lets see how things will turn out in these couple of days.

And till then, here’s the news report on the case :

Video hijacked from YouTube, courtesy of The Star

Political Figures in Hot Water!

Things has just gone up a notch on the Altantunya murder case. When the news of her brutal murder came in 2006, the news shocked the whole nation. She was so brutally murdered that I can only say its indescribable in any human language. And now, new allegations claims that high ranking political figures were somehow involved.

I haven’t been really following the news closely but when I read about allegations claiming that political figures are somehow involved, I am really puzzled ( please pardon me for my lack of knowledge ). But what the hell happened actually? Things has gotten from complicated to incomprehensible. How did the political figure fit in the picture? I do hope they are not involved, or this country’s image are going to be so down the drain. And if this happens, it would definitely go into the history as one of the worst dark marks in Malaysian history.

I do hope that things clear out soon. With the recent fuel price hike, prices of daily goods and services sky rocketing, the recent SAPP incident, the blow from the election in March & now the allegations? Wow, I think thats a bit too much for the Malaysian people and seriously I hope we can “slow” things down a little and catch our breath. There are just too much surprises in store for us Malaysians lately. Definitely not for the faint-hearted!

Anyway I went to find the Al Jazeera version of the news on the allegations from YouTube. I thought it would be interesting to sometimes watch foreign news and see things from their point of view. ^^,

Here goes

P.S : The way they pronounce Najib’s name seems a bit funny ^^,

Malaysians O Malaysians…

Newspapers these days sure are interesting. I saw this news on the newspaper and I thought it was interesting so, I decided to find a digital copy of it and share it with you guys here. Anyway this is not just a mere hijacking. So read on.

Wednesday June 25, 2008

Drivers fume

GEORGE TOWN: Motorists throughout the country were left fuming and confused on Tuesday, all because of the push by petrol station owners to ensure that their profit margins are maintained.

> 400 petrol stations in the northern region decided to stop accepting payments by credit card by today,

> Motorists are angry that they have to pay by cash, especially when they are now paying more for their fuel,

> Chaos broke out in several towns in Sabah and Sarawak as panicked vehicle owners rushed to petrol stations to fill up after receiving irresponsible SMSes that petrol stations were closing for three days,

> Vehicle owners in the peninsula were also worried after receiving similar untrue SMSes of petrol stations closing.

Source : The Star Online

So what I would like to highlight here is this,

> Chaos broke out in several towns in Sabah and Sarawak as panicked vehicle owners rushed to petrol stations to fill up after receiving irresponsible SMSes that petrol stations were closing for three days,

> Vehicle owners in the peninsula were also worried after receiving similar untrue SMSes of petrol stations closing.

Malaysians O Malaysians. I am really speechless over this. Sometimes to the point it made me laugh my butt off. I just don’t understand why some people can believe such SMSes. First of all, we don’t even know where the SMS came from ( yes I know its from your friend or family members! What I meant here is the source of the SMS), but still we choose to believe it without doing a little investigation. I believe all of us have the internet, so a quick google search would reveal a lot. And if you don’t have the internet, I believe by following the latest news, you will dig out a lot of info too.

How many times have we Malaysians fall for this kind of rumors? If I am not wrong, countless times. May it be through SMS or verbally. Remember not so long ago people were rushing to buy cooking oils because there are rumors about a of lack of supply? And remember the SMS about the 11p.m phone radiation which I have also wrote something about it here?

The SMSes seems harmless actually, but hey look what happens when lets say everyone of us sent these SMSes to just 3 of our friends. In a matter of just minutes, it would have spread to thousands of people. And it won’t take long before a panic starts. And actually it is quite interesting in a way. Look at it like this. Lets assume the SMS originate from Sabah. And with the same spreading pattern, it spreads even to the Peninsula. It just goes to show how well each of us are connected. The 6 Degrees of Seperation theory might just be true! LOL

I am not a business student or anything but I think a panic buying can drive prices up as there is a sudden surge in demand given a constant amount of production. Perhaps thats the true motive of the SMS? We’ll never know..

Anyway I hope we Malaysians don’t fall for this ever again. And let’s keep our fingers crossed that this kind of SMSes will always stay as rumors! Cheers!

Parliament’s Drama

Things in Malaysia is getting weirder and weirder. I don’t know about you, but for me I feel that nowadays we are dealing with many minor issues instead of dealing with the issues at hand. There are so many issues that need urgent discussions, but no, they decided this. The latest drama from the Parliament

Saturday June 21, 2008

Five is enough, says Parliament

By LEE YUK PENG

KUALA LUMPUR: Only five – that’s the number of journalists each news organisation is allowed inside Parliament from Monday.

The controversial move was announced in a press statement issued after 5pm yesterday.

The Parliament administration stated that the limit was for security reasons.

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Norila Mohd Daud said the limit would make it more difficult for journalists to work in Parliament.

“The restriction will only result in fewer stories filed.

“Now that everyone is interested in reading news from Parliament and there are more ministers holding press conferences at the lobby, more pressmen should be allowed to move freely in the building to get more stories,” she said.

Norila also said pressmen on duty wear media tags issued by their companies and also media tags from the Information Ministry.

“Security is not a problem,” she said.

During a normal session, The Star has a team of six to nine journalists reporting from Parliament.

This does not include photographers and video crew from The Star’s Multimedia Department.

An Indonesian TV station covered the Malaysian Parliament last May. Wire agencies, Singapore TV and online news portals also regularly cover the parliamentary sessions.

Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang said Parliament should welcome more reporters, rather than limit their number.

“Parliament gains importance for news coverage with more pressmen here,” he said, adding that journalists were reporting on the national political landscape as well.

However, the Barisan National Backbenchers Club (BBC) has a different opinion.

Deputy BBC chairman, Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (Kinabatangan) opines that five reporters are “more than enough”.

He said five newsmen, even with the inclusion of photographers, already represented a small crew.

“Personally, I think that five’s too many.

“I am in no position to voice out how news agencies feel, which is why they should appeal to the Parliament administration if there are grouses, but personally, I think it is more than enough,” said Bung.

Source : The Star Online

Tuesday June 24, 2008 MYT 9:15:23 PM

Editors back Parliament protest (updated)

By LOONG MENG YEE

KUALA LUMPUR: Chief editors have lent their support to colleagues protesting restrictive moves imposed by Parliament authorities, saying the decision was an unnecessary hindrance and an insult to the press.

About 100 journalists covering Parliament staged a boycott Tuesday morning after they were denied access to the lobby. They refused to attend press conferences or take down statements, although they covered developments in the chamber.

The barrier was later removed by the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (see Timeline below).

China Press editor-in-chief Teoh Yang Khoon said: “Reporters are never a security threat and we know where to draw the line in respecting the privacy of the Members of Parliament.

“For instance, we do not barge into areas meant for the MPs, nor do we trail the MPs into the toilet. Therefore, respect must also be shown to reporters. The restrictions are an insult,” he said.

The Star group chief editor Datuk Wong Chun Wai, in his chunwai08.blogspot entry titled Fast, Furious and Stupid in KL, said the decision had infuriated the media.

“It is unprecedented. The decision had left reporters stunned and certainly insulted,” said Wong.

New Straits Times Press Group editor-in-chief Datuk Hishamuddin Aun said reporters were carrying out their duties and would certainly be hurt if they were harassed or treated like second-class citizens.

“The management did not give instructions to reporters to boycott, but for the sake of unity, everyone (covering Parliament) agreed. The boycott is unfortunate and I sympathise with the reporters and photographers.

“Instead of totally cordoning off the lobby, perhaps the Parliament authorities can issue separate passes allowing for one or two reporters from each organisation to roam in the lobby,” said Hishamuddin.

When told that an aide of a minister had used the Malaysiakini team of three reporters as an example of a sufficiently strong team to cover news in Parliament, the online news portal’s co-founder Steven Gan, said: “I would have sent more staff if I could. We are missing stories but I do not have enough reporters.

“Parliament is a vibrant arena after the March 8 political tsunami and there is need for a larger team of journalists.”

Nanyang Siang Pau

“The restrictions are very sarcastic moves by the Parliament authorities. It does not show respect for the work of journalists, especially in Parliament, the epitome of democracy,” said Chong.

Sin Chew Daily executive editor-in-chief Kuik Cheng Kang said Parliament authorities were wrong to target the media because “the press had never done anything wrong to threaten the security since Independence”.

“There are many other groups of people crowding the lobby, such as ministry officers and lobby groups. Reporters are there to do our jobs, not celebrate birthdays. Please do not punish us for working,” said Kuik.

The Sun consultant editor Zainon Ahmad said the lobby was the best place for the press to get news from Ministers, MPs and other government servants.

Timeline

9.30am: Reporters arrived at Parliament lobby to discover that red tapes were used to cordon off the main part of the lobby and there were security guards around.

Reporters, photographers and camera crew were only allowed to at a small corner where press conferences used to be held. Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) was at lobby and spoke to reporters separated by the red tape.

Consensus reached among pressmen to boycott press conferences held at the lobby.

10.30am: When Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) and Khalid Abd Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) expressed their intention to hold a press conference at the lobby, many refused to attend.

10.40am: Photographers, cameramen and journalists left their “working equipment” such as cameras, voice recorders and notebooks on the floor as a sign to stop covering news events at the lobby.

11.30am: After being told that all press members had suspended their work outside the Parliament chamber, Edward Jules, an aide of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said he respected them and would convey the information to his boss.

However, he returned a few minutes later with Dr Rais and held a press conference, which was only attended by a few official media such as Bernama and RTM.

Opposition MPs Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) and Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) decided to issue written statements through their aides instead of speaking directly to the press after realising that most reporters were going on “strike”.

But when Ipoh Timor MP special assistant Lim Swee Kuan wanted to distribute some press statements at the media centre, two security guards prevented him from doing so.

“They told me that staff like us are no longer allowed to give out statements and only MPs have the right to do so.

“I then asked them where the directive came from and they told me that ‘we have it in black and white’,” he said.

Noon: Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), Tian Chua (PKR-Batu), Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai), R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) and Jeff Ooi (DAP-Jelutong) were present at media centre to give their statements but the press told them that the ban is on.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s meeting at noon involving the Barisan Nasional management committee meeting held at the committee room was only covered by Bernama.

2.15pm: A group of Barisan Nasional backbenchers marched through the lobby and announced business as usual for all press members by removing all barricades that restricted the movements of reporters.

Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said they did not consult the Parliament administration, nor did they get permission from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker before removing the barricade.

Najib’s second meeting – the Cabinet committee on sports development – was also covered only by Bernama.

3pm: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s meeting on palm oil was covered only by Bernama.

3.30pm: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, who sent two aides to the media centre to look for press coverage on her 100th day in the ministry, was told “No press coverage at the lobby.”

Source : The Star Online

Tuesday June 24, 2008 MYT 7:30:40 PM

Parliament barricades removed (Update 2)

Photo Gallery

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional Backbenchers’ Club deputy chairman Bung Mokhtar Radin (Kinabatangan) removed the barricades barring the media from the Parliament lobby at 2.15pm on Tuesday.

He announced “business as usual,” allowing media representatives to move freely around the lobby.

The move came after more than 100 journalists from print, online and broadcast media organisations staged a boycott at Parliament on Tuesday morning after being denied access.

The area was cordoned off by Parliament security. The reason for such a move is unclear at the moment, but last Friday media organisations were told that beginning Tuesday, only five journalists per organisation would be allowed at Parliament.

The journalists, forced to operate in a small corner where press conferences are normally held, said they would not cover any press conferences held outside the chamber, nor would they entertain any such requests.

A group of PKR and DAP Members of Parliament (MPs) visited the media centre to hold a press conference, but were told that no statements would be recorded outside the chamber.

Journalists are restricted from moving freely in the Parliament lobby and only have access to the cafeteria, the press conference corner and the Speaker’s office.

They have been barred from the lounge meant for MPs, cubicles for ministers, the bridge linking lobby to the next building where Prime Minister’s Office is located, mobile post offices and ATMs.

Lim Guan Eng (DAP – Bagan), who is also Penang Chief Minister, criticised the ban, saying that it did not reflect freedom of press and a first world parliament.

The number of press conferences held at the lobby has increased recently with the stronger opposition in the Parliament.

More ministers have been holding press conferences at the lobby. NGOs too have been meeting up with MPs at the lobby area.

Source : The Star Online

I am just speechless. LOL ^^,

Double Fueling System?

I just heard it over the news just now that we would have a double fueling system. I can’t find any information online but once I do I will update it here.

From what I heard earlier on the news, the system would be that locally registered cars will pump government subsidized fuel while foreign registered cars will have to pay the market prize for the fuel. So meaning we would pump RM2.70 and the foreigners will pump whatever the market price is.

They said that this system would have 2 advantages. One is that the the government would benefit financially and the second is that, we as consumers know the real market price.

Well for me, I seriously think that the second advantage is not really an advantage. The only thing that we will know is how much the government is subsidizing. So how is that a advantage to us consumers? But seriously, I think this system is a good good one. But it is only good if it is not subjected to fraud.

I see that there are loopholes in the system itself. First being, how are we going to monitor the pumping process? We need a good monitoring system so that foreigners don’t “accidentally” pump our subsidized fuel. And secondly, what will happen if that “accident” does happen. Also, there might be possibilities where unscrupulous people with foreign registration number car may try to pump subsidized fuel by changing their car registration number prior to entering a petrol station.

But anyhow, this is just what that come to my mind when I heard the news earlier as there were not much information released. I believe the government will throughly look into this matter and will implement this system as soon as all matters are sorted out. It is a good system but its execution must be flawless or it will hurt our government’s already bad reputation. And with the current political turmoil, our government is threading a dangerous path.

UPDATE :

Monday June 23, 2008

Separate pumps for foreigners

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has agreed to implement a dual pump system at fuel stations in border areas so that foreigners do not buy fuel at subsidised prices.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said, under the separate pump system, local citizens buy fuel at subsidised prices while foreigners had to pay current market prices.

“The system has two benefits; foreigners will pay for petrol at the current price and Malaysians will know the actual market price of petrol,” he said.

Najib said the system was based on Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad’s suggestion.

Shahrir said the fuel station operators were agreeable to the new system. – Bernama

Fuel Rebate

I believe everyone here would have heard about this if you are living in Malaysia. If you have not, well all I can say is =.=||

These days you can just flip through the newspaper and you will definitely see a news that are related to fuel or the fuel rebate or anything that is oil! It is so much about fuel nowadays that, you can just go to the street and hear everybody is talking about it.

Well let’s come back to what we are discussing – the fuel rebate. Well the government decided to come up with this idea of giving fuel rebate which ranges from RM150 to RM625 respectively, after raising the fuel price.

Those who renewed their road tax in April and May and are eligible for cash rebates can get the payment from all post offices beginning Saturday (14 June 2008).

The Star, June 10 2008

Well my motorcycle road tax is renewed in May, or is it June?? LOL. So I guess I am eligible for this rebate! But I have not gone to the post office to collect it yet. Cause I am actually terrified, when I think about how many thousands of people would flock the post office to collect this rebate. Ya it is a 3-minute process but what I don’t really like is the queuing up. Which made me wonder, the government introduced this plan with good intentions but somehow I think its a little troublesome as we need to make a trip to the post office and queue up for a rebate.

See this is what I mean. Scary ok.

Photo from The Star

But I will definitely go to collect my rebate. Well I guess when it comes to money, everyone can just do anything. But I don’t plan to go collect it soon. Maybe next week. We’ll see. I am so lazy…LOL

Anyway anyway, if you plan to go collect it, here’s what you need to do :

> Go in person to any of the country’s 683 post offices,
> Bring your identity card,
> Provide your car registration number, and
> Fill a money order form.

The from can be obtained from here

And then moving on from this fuel rebate, it seems that the government is looking into another system. Here’s the story :

Fuel card plan to improve subsidy rebate system

By RUBEN SARIO and MEERA VIJAYAN

KOTA KINABALU: The Government is looking at adopting a system whereby motorists can buy a fixed amount of subsidised fuel each month and pay for the rest at market rate.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the system includes providing Malaysian motorists with a special card for buying subsidised fuel.

“We are still looking into this system as certain infrastructure would be required for the subsidised fuel cards to be used,” he said, adding that the RM625 cash rebate for motorists was the best and fastest approach the Government could take to cushion the recent 41% hike in fuel prices.

Touching on the same subject, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said the fuel subsidy rebate system would be fine-tuned for the convenience of the people.

He said that various options were being studied, including the possibility of using a fleet card system.

“For example, under the fleet card, you would get your rebate at the petrol pumps as and when you purchase your fuel instead of having to queue up at post offices,” he said.

Shahrir pointed out that the present cash rebate system was not the perfect long-term solution, judging from the crowds of people rushing to collect their rebates.

“We are talking about rebates for 500,000 cars a month and that does not even include motorcycles.

“Surely there can be a better system of dispensing subsidy to vehicle owners,” he told The Star.

Shahrir said that as this was the first time the rebates were being given, there was plenty of room for it to be upgraded and improved upon.

“We don’t know whether it will be continued or not. Maybe my Cabinet colleagues are satisfied with it, but we have to work on it,” he said.

He declined to comment on other suggestions, preferring to make the announcement once it was finalised.

Motorists all over the country crowded post offices on Saturday as they scrambled for the RM625 fuel subsidy rebate for cars and RM150 for motorcycles.

By the end of the day, RM116.7mil had been collected by almost 240,000 motorists from 683 post offices.

Meanwhile, a fleet card system presently exists for public transportation operators who use the card to buy diesel at subsidised rates.

The system was introduced to curb diesel smuggling and the illegal sale of the fuel.

TheStar, June 16 2008

The Assault of Chang Jiun Haur – Views From Both Parties

This is again extracted online and it is about what the SUHAKAM has to say and also what the police has to say. Here’s what SUHAKAM demand to the police. Extracted from New Straits Times :

Bandar Mahkota Cheras: Suhakam wants police to explain use of force.

KUALA LUMPUR: A member of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) wants an inquiry into the alleged use of force by the police and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel during the Bandar Mahkota Cheras fracas on Tuesday night.

Commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said a 21-year-old mechanic, Chang Jiun Huar, was in hospital for injuries to his face and mouth when he and a friend were dragged from their car and beaten up by about 30 police and FRU men who alleged that the victim had tried to run one of them down with his vehicle.

Chang was at the wheel with his sister and two friends.

“The victim told me they were just passing by the place after having a drink at Bandar Mahkota Cheras when suddenly their car was surrounded by policemen and FRU personnel.

“He said the men started to kick his car, demanding that they get out, before they smashed the driver’s side window.

“Chang and the others were dragged out of the car and he and a friend was assaulted,” Siva said yesterday.

Siva asked why none of the policemen were injured if their claims that Chang had tried to ram into them were true.

“Even if Chang had indeed tried to ram into the policemen, it still does not justify the way he was treated.”

Chang is now warded at the Seremban Hospital.

“Chang will bear the scar from the attack, both physically and emotionally, for the rest of his life.

“It is a high price to pay for a young man who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“I have tried to talk to the Kajang police to get an explanation but could not do so as the officers were busy.”

“I will try to arrange another meeting soon and demand a detailed explanation from them about what exactly transpired on that day.”

He said he would propose at a meeting of Suhakam on June 9 that the commission start its own investigation.

And this is what the police has to say, also from New Straits Times :

Bandar Mahkota Cheras: No excessive force used by FRU, says deputy IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, Sat:

The police today maintained that there was no unnecessary excessive force used by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel on a resident during a protest at Bandar Mahkota Cheras on Tuesday night.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ismail Omar said allegations that the police used brutality during the incident were totally baseless.

“We received many calls from various parties to investigate the incident and we are carrying out a thorough probe into the matter. But I would like to stress that the FRU personnel deployed on that day followed procedures.

“But if we find any personnel involved in misusing their power, they will face the music. We will treat everyone fairly,” he told reporters after the passing-out parade of probationary inspectors at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) here today.

Ismail was commenting on the call by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) for an inquiry into an incident where 21-year-old Chang Jiun Haur was allegedly beaten up by several FRU personnel after three men and a woman were said to have knocked into them.

He said the police would also arrange for a meeting with Suhakam to explain the real scenario on what had transpired. 

Ismail said the police would not restrain anyone who witnessed the incident, to come forward and assist the police.

“If they have vital information and evidence please come forward and assist us. Do not hesitate,” he said, adding that nobody was above the law.

Chang alleged that he was stopped by several FRU personnel who broke the windscreen of his car before assaulting him.

The incident occurred during a protest where Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents removed concrete barricade constructed by Grand Saga, the concessionaire of the Cheras-Kajang Highway which closed an access road into their housing area. — BERNAMA

So you decide for yourself whose side are you on. Personally I am on Chang’s side. First, I don’t think there is a need to assault 4 unarmed citizens even if what the police says about them ramming the police is true. Second, no excessive force is used? Look at how badly hurt that fella is! If thats not excessive force, I think we need to redefine excessive. Third, I believe if the police are well trained, it does not need 20 of them to apprehend 4 unarmed people, even if they were in a car. And lastly, if they intend to ram the police, the best chance would be when the police surrounds them! It would be like bowling striking down the pins!