Top 10: Dearly beloved, place your bets!

Technorati tags: Humor, Top Ten, The Royal Wedding, William and Kate, Betting

If you’ve ever spent any considerable time in the UK, you’ll probably know that you can place a bet on virtually anything. And today, Friday April 29, 2011, will see perhaps the grandest royal wedding since Princess Di walked down the aisle on July 29, 1981, in what was dubbed The Wedding of the Century. Well, of last century anyway.

This century, it’s the wedding of Princess Di’s son, Prince William, to Kate Middleton, happening later today at 11:00AM London time. And since it’s an important occasion, the Brits will place bets on… well, a lot of things. Like what color hat will the Queen wear, or the first celebrity to be shown on the wedding telecast (David & Victoria Beckham seem to be the favorites), and even who will be the first to cry. 

There are also some pretty far out bets you can place, and that’s the topic Walski’s chosen for this edition of myAsylum’s Top Ten.
(the Top 10 list, and more, in the full post)

And so, dearly beloved who are gathered here today, without further ado...

Top 10 Outrageous Bets for The Royal Wedding

10. Prince Philip to be seen asleep during the wedding service
Odds: 8/1
Apparently, just like our former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi, Queen Elizabeth's consort has a reputation for dozing off during official ceremonies. The Mrs mentioned something about Philip farting during the ceremony, but that would be kind of difficult to verify. The punters thought so, too.

9. William & Kate Royal Wedding First Dance Number: Sex on Fire (by Kings of Leon) 
Odds: 50/1
About 26 songs were listed on the betting sheet, but Walski thought that this was probably the most glaringly unlikely.

8. Will Kate Be Late? 
Odds: ranging from 8/1 to 5/4 
Depending on the actual time Kate arrives, there are bets that Kate will either be early, on time (within a certain range), or really, really late. Or worse…

7. Kate Jilts William at the Altar 
Odds: 100/1 
Ok, this one’s a little mean, perhaps, but hey… it’s the UK and you can pretty much bet on anything. Walski really isn’t into the gossip scene, so he really doesn’t have a clue as to whether there were any pre-wedding jitters as such. But basing on the odds, it’s not something that’s likely to happen. Either that, or someone (or a few someones) will be laughing all the way to the bank.

6. Archbishop of Canterbury refers to Kate Middleton as Prince William's AWFUL wedded wife during the service 
Odds: 100/1 
Not really good odds on this one either, but you never know. The mind may be willing, but the tongue simply refuses to cooperate.

5. The Archbishop of Canterbury says 'In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy GOAT' during the service 
Odds: 100/1 
Walski’s not entirely sure if the Archbishop has ever made this mistake or not, but yeah, it’s one of the betting categories.

4. BBC live coverage in the Church fails during the service 
Odds: 7/1 
Murphy’s Law states that if anything can go wrong, it will. BBC, while being a very reputable broadcasting organization uses the same kind of equipment like all other broadcasting organizations, and these can suddenly decide to go kaput. Plus, 7/1 odds aren’t at all shabby…

3. Prince Harry forgets the Wedding Rings 
Odds: 100/1 
Between the two brothers, Harry’s been known to do his fair share of silly things. This one would probably be disastrous. Be that as it may, there’s a bet for it, and the punters reckon that there’s a 100/1 chance that he’ll flub the ring-bearer role. Oh, and by the way, Harry is an Arsenal supporter… ‘nuff said.

2. The color of David Beckham's tie 
Odds: ranges from 11/10 to 40/1 
Speaking of football, one celebrity footballer who’s bound to be at the wedding is none other than David Beckham, with Victoria, of course. Assuming he does wear a tie (there’s odds of 25/1 he’ll attend without one), orange has been deemed to be the least likely color. No bets, however, that David will pull a no-show. Or a hamstring.

And the NUMBER ONE outrageous bet for The Royal Wedding:

The worst possible cliché imaginable uttered during the sermon: “It’s Not Too Late To Change Your Mind” 
Odds: 100/1

~ ~ ~ o O O O o ~ ~ ~

So there you have it... some of the more outrageous bets. There was also a bet that the car ferrying Kate Middleton to the Abbey would break down, but apparently no more bets are being taken for this.

The Mrs, for one, is really looking to watching the telecast later today. Princess Diana was an influential figure in her life, so watching William getting hitched is like some full circle of sorts.

And will Walski be watching as well? Odds are 2/1 that he’ll be nice to the Mrs, and watch it with her. 25/1 that he watches the telecast from start to finish.

Any takers?

Click here for the full post......

Government & the roots of a mediocre MSC

Technorati tags: MSC, IT Industry, Tech Industry, Government, Analysis

An excellent article from someone deep in the tech trenches. Yes, it is scathing, but only because for over two decades no one has really dared to speak out against the one identifiable body that has successfully thwarted the Malaysian tech industry - the Government, and its innate bureaucratic process.

Governments the world over are known to be lumbering behemoths, and the Malaysian government is not alone. That said, it is encumbered further by the fact that in proportion to its population, ours is bigger than most.

The best thing the government can do to help our tech industry is to get the hell out of the way, as Ditesh Gathani elaborates in this article. Or else, what results will be more hare-brained initiatives like the 1Malaysia Email project.

Amplify’d from www.themalaysianinsider.com

The government needs to exit the software ecosystem — Ditesh Gathani

The government of Malaysia has had a chilling effect on the growth of the Malaysian software ecosystem, and needs to make an exit in order for the sector to blossom.

It’s hard to know where one should start commenting on the latest fiasco around the proposed 1 Malaysia email system. Perhaps more than any other single software project in recent times, the 1 Malaysia email proposal has highlighted the deep rot within the software industry in Malaysia. The public outcry has been loud and consistent. The subject even comes up during office meetings, as a form of collective outrage against yet another silliness we’ve been asked to endure.

For those unaware of the proposal, the gist of it is that Tricubes, a distressed public listed firm, won a bid to provide Malaysians with an email service. That’s right — to provide Malaysians with an email service. Oh, the best part of this proposal is that Tricubes would be charging the government RM0.50 for every email sent by the government to Malaysians.

If it sounds incredible in any zany sort of way, you must be new to this country and I must warmly welcome you to Malaysia, fondly known among its residents as Bolehland. Magical, amazing and outlandish things happen in this country which are entertaining in a tragic sort of way. So tragic that it’s worth creating a newspeak word to properly describe the tragedy.

tragedic. adjective. Recursive definition to describe tragedies so outlandishly tragic, that its tragedic

As tragedic proposals go, all things considered, this one had the distinction of being pretty dumb. Free email systems have been around for a while and the need for yet another email system is rather doubtful. Read more at www.themalaysianinsider.com

 

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YouTube founders acquire Delicious

Technorati tags: Tech, Delicious, Yahoo, Salvage

And essentially salvage the bookmarking service from the Yahoo scrap heap. Could this be a renewed lease on life for the bookmarking service? Tomio Geron (Forbes Tech blogger) tells us about it in his posting...

Amplify’d from blogs.forbes.com

YouTube’s Chad Hurley And Steve Chen Bookmark Delicious

YouTube co-founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen have acquired Delicious from Yahoo.

It marks what could be a re-birth for the longstanding bookmarking service, which was acquired by Yahoo back in 2005.

There has been speculation for months about who would buy Delicious, which still has a large user base, but a languishing product. In December news leaked of Yahoo’s plans to sell off Delicious, and users have scurried to find ways to download or transfer their bookmarks to other services. With Chen and Hurley in command, they may reconsider that move. Read more at blogs.forbes.com

 

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Who watches the watchdogs?

Technorati tags: Royal Commission of Inquiry, MACC, Teoh Beng Hock, Scandal

As the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the death of Teoh Beng Hock continues, more and more irregularities about how MACC operates are being uncovered.

The latest dirt uncovered yesterday is about covering up the role played by superior officers in the investigation. Even after no evidence of corruption was found in Ean Yong's investigation, MACC proceeded. Why?

It is hoped that the RCI will finally uncover the truth surrounding Teoh's fall from height, and consequently also shed some light, possibly, as to what could have happened resulting in another fall from height at another MACC office...

Amplify’d from www.themalaysianinsider.com

Senior MACC man gave order to cover up role, RCI told

An anti-graft officer admitted to being instructed to cover up the role of his superior in the investigation against Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, the Teoh Beng Hock Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) heard today.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) assistant superintendent Azeem Hafeez Jamaluddin said Hishamuddin Hashim, who was then Selangor MACC deputy director, had ordered him some time after Teoh’s death in 2009 to testify that another graftbuster had led the probe against Ean Yong instead.

“The operation was led by Hishamuddin, but in the discussion, Hishamuddin asked that it be said the operation was ordered by Hairul (Ilham Hamzah),” said Azeem at the inquiry today, referring to the Selangor MACC investigation unit head.

“So you were ordered to say that the operation was led by Hairul Ilham, not Hishamuddin?” asked Bar Council lawyer Cheow Wee.

“Yes,” Azeem answered.

Teoh was found on July 16, 2009 sprawled on the fifth-floor corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam after he was questioned overnight by MACC officers at their then-Selangor headquarters on the 14th floor.

Teoh, 30, was the political secretary to Ean Yong, who is the Seri Kembangan assemblyman from the DAP, at the time of his death.

The graftbusters were investigating a claim that his boss was abusing state funds.

A senior MACC officer testified yesterday, however, that the MACC had failed to find evidence to prove Ean Yong had abused state funds, leading to the public prosecutor calling for it to drop investigations. Read more at www.themalaysianinsider.com

 

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Smashing news from the Pumpkins

Technorati tags: Music, The Smashing Pumpkins, Back Catalog, Bonus Material

As most fans of The Smashing Pumpkins will tell you, their best material is from their earlier days. The Iha/D'arcy/Corgan/Chamberlin configuration produced some very iconic and defining music from the era.

Walski has not heard their latest stuff, but has heard that it pales in comparison. So this piece of news, while most welcomed, is not at all surprising. Something to definitely look forward to in the coming couple of years...

Amplify’d from www.themalaysianinsider.com

Smashing Pumpkins to reissue albums with extras

The Smashing Pumpkins will reissue their classic recordings during a three-year programme that kicks off in the fall with expanded versions of three albums including their 1993 breakthrough “Siamese Dream,” frontman Billy Corgan and EMI Music said yesterday.

Also due out then will be their 1991 full-length debut “Gish” and the 1994 rarities collection “Pisces Iscariot.” An exact release date has not been finalised.

Next year, Corgan and EMI will reissue the 1995 double album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” the 1996 five-disc boxed set “The Aeroplane Flies High” and 1998’s commercial disappointment “Adore.”

In 2013, the 2000 swan songs “Machina/The Machines of God” and “Machina II: The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music” will come out as one package. A hits package, presumably featuring such modern-rock radio staples as “1979,” “Cherub Rock” and “Today,” will also be released in 2013.

“What makes the deal with EMI groundbreaking is the band has secured the right to all unreleased materials and will be in charge of any additional releases based on our discretion,” Corgan, the band’s singer/songwriter/guitarist, said in a statement. “In essence, the band has the keys to the warehouse and can release whatever we want, when we want it.”

The statement did not detail what bonus material would be included on the reissues. Read more at www.themalaysianinsider.com

 

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Introducing the "Scandal-less" MyOh.my

Technorati tags: Humor, Parody Site, MyOh.my, 1Malaysia Email

In all honesty, this was bound to happen sooner or later - a parody site of the furor-raising 1Malaysia Email project.

Powered by Google Apps, MyOh.my is testament to the fact that you don't need mega-Millions to pull off an application like this. In fact, since most people online already have an e-mail account (or five), why the idea was promoted with fanfare in the first place remains a mystery.

At the end of the day it's all physics, though: for every not-very-smart governmental initiative, there is an equal and opposite parody waiting to happen...

Amplify’d from www.myoh.my

We are pleased to announce the availability of an inbox for every Malaysian, myOh.my. Be one of the first to experience paperless communication with government agencies in a secure and reliable way (it's called email!). This service is free of censorship, large-scale government oversight, and is provided free of charge to the public and government of Malaysia. Not myemail, it's your email, by the people. Welcome to the real Malaysian email address.

One Inbox

myOh.my works just like regular email and more. Get notices, news and replies from government agencies directly to your inbox. You never have to sign up for another email account ever! (Especially since you already have three.)

Store anything

With 25GB of storage you can store documents, photos, etc. online in the cloud and finding emails is easy with the built in search tool. Oh, and because your content is stored overseas we don't censor it or watch what you keep.

Do more than just email

Create, edit and save documents, spreadsheets and presentations using your myOh.my id and familiar Google Docs interface. Access those documents anywhere by using your browser (no USB key required).

Works just like regular email

You don’t need to learn anything new. Send, receive and save emails securely using myOh.my, just like you would with regular email. Read more at www.myoh.my

 

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RIP: The Typewriter

Technorati tags: Technology, Typewriter, Demise

Honestly, Walski can't remember the last time he used a typewriter - yes, it's been THAT long.

But such is way technology progresses, and being a child of the 60's, he's seen many step-changes in technology, and the resulting obsolescence and abandonment of certain equipment, whose technology is no longer sustainable.

You never know, the day vehicular levitation becomes the norm, we may just be saying goodbye to the wheel as well...

Amplify’d from www.theatlantic.com

Last Typewriter Factory in the World Shuts Its Doors

I've owned at least two typewriters over the years. They were passed down to me from other family members; I think one I discovered in my grandmother's basement and begged her to let me take it home with me. She obliged and I used the thing, banging out random nonsense, until I ran out of tape. There's something about the large, clunky, medieval device that appeals to the aspiring writers among us; they make you feel more connected to your work. When a story is done and has been pulled off the roller, you can still feel it in your fingers.

Because I have a mother that loves to collect antiques -- and drag her children with her to the nearest barn sale -- I've seen hundreds of typewriters. (The Smith-Corona Galaxie DeLuxe, made famous among members of my generation by Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous, will always be a favorite.) It never occurred to me that I might not be able to find one whenever the desire hit. Sure, there are thousands collecting dust on thrift store shelves from here to Texarkana, but that will eventually change. Now that Godrej and Boyce, the last company left in the world still manufacturing the devices, has closed its doors, when typewriters make their way to landfills, there won't be any new ones to replace them. Read more at www.theatlantic.com

 

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Opinion Poll: Who or What is the real threat to the Malays?

Technorati tags: Opinion Poll, Politics, Threats, Perceived Threats

The juvenile politics doesn’t seem like it’s gonna end any time soon. Of late, the UMBeciles – what Walski calls UMNO’s New Media Unit – have been going into overdrive accusing DAP of being racist, implicitly suggesting that the party is a threat to the Malays.

All this because of DAP’s success in the recent Sarawak polls, winning 13 out of the 15 seats the party contested, all of which are in the more urban areas. And because the majority of Sarawak urbanites are ethnic Chinese, DAP was accused of fanning racist sentiments.

So Walski decided that this situation calls for a new opinion poll. Essentially, it asks your opinion of what you think the real threat to the Malays in this country is.

In the list are the usual suspects – the political parties – DAP included. Also in the list is one rather offbeat choice, which is based on actual news (via The Malay Mail).

Plus, if you think none of the choices listed fits who or what you think is the real threat, you can suggest your own answer.

As with previous polls, this one is located at the sidebar, with options for you to post it on your own blog (either Blogger or Wordpress based).

He’d like to get as many different opinions on this as possible, so the further the reach, the more representative the results will be.

And Walski’s solemn promise – he will refrain from voting this time around. He’d been accused of rigging the previous poll, just because the accuser, a BN sycophant, simply didn’t like what the results looked like.

Walski isn’t going to run this poll for too long – it’s scheduled to close at midnight this Sunday. There could very well be something else more important that comes up, which Walski might want to do a poll on, so 5+ days should suffice.

Since the day after the poll closes is a public holiday, Walski should have some time on his hands to do a result analysis fairly quickly. He will also refrain from stating who/what he personally thinks is the biggest threat – we’ll just save that for the poll analysis post.

So tell your friends about this poll, and feel free to grab it for your own blog. Happy polling!

Click here for the full post......

Perkasa claims Rela special brigade

Technorati tags: Perkasa, Militancy, Brown Shirts, Brown Power

Perkasa claims that there is now a brigade within Rela (a paramilitary citizen volunteer corps), supposedly approved by the Home Ministry.

This, however, has been denied by the Rela director general and the Deputy Home Minister.

So, who's lying and who's telling the truth?

Whatever the case may be, Perkasa going paramilitary is not something that Walski thinks is at all positive. Call him paranoid, but events of late almost seem like Perkasa has a road map to one day take over the country by force.

The truth, as they say, is out there...

Amplify’d from komunitikini.com

Perkasa has moved to take a wider role in its political struggle by forming a subgroup within The People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) that is exclusively for its members.

Perkasa coordinator, Zainuddin Salleh, revealed to Komunitikini that a Rela subgroup called “Briged Setia Negara” had been established by Selangor Perkasa chief, Abdullah Mansor, in December last year.

“Approval was granted by the Home Ministry in December last year for the establishment of the brigade,” claimed Zainuddin. “The brigade is formed exclusively for Selangor Perkasa members.”

He said those who join Perkasa will be offered the option to enrol in Briged Setia Negara.

The brigade, according to him, is no different to Rela’s other units except in its membership condition.

“The uniform and duties given are still the same,” he added.

Asked if an Umno member who is not Perkasa member is allowed to join the brigade, Zainuddin said such a person should join Rela directly.

A check on the Selangor Perkasa website confirmed that Perkasa has conducted a briefing on the said brigade during a recent event, with Perkasa’s Abdullah dressed in Rela uniform. Read more at komunitikini.com

 

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Perkasa lives up to their reputation...

Technorati tags: Perkasa, Illogical Irritants, 1Apartheid, Utusan

Q: What do you call 100 people with nothing better to do than be irritating?

A: Perkasa.

Yup, the organization that claims to speak for "all Malays" - whose population stands at about 100, going by today's turnout - descended upon the MCA Headquarters sometime earlier today, to protest against the BN-component party, whose "crime" was to call for a boycott of Utusan Malaysia, the right-wing nut NGO's sacred text.

What's interesting about this protest: no water cannons and the total lack of tear gas being fired, the required ingredients for most peaceful protests in Malaysia.

But Walski reckons that Perkasa is "special" - not only does UMNO fear these goons, but looking at virtually all recent unmolested Perkasa protests in recent memory, so does the Malaysian Police.

So special, in fact, that they simply cannot be reasoned with. Like how you can't reason with a hyperactive 3-year old on a sugar high.

Be that as it may, today Perkasa sure lived up to their reputation. Of being totally irritating.

Amplify’d from www.themalaysianinsider.com

Perkasa in minor protest against MCA

About 100 Perkasa members and supporters held a demonstration today in front of Wisma MCA here to protest the party’s rejection of the Utusan Malaysia-initiated “1 Melayu, 1 Bumi” movement.

Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali told reporters that he handed a memorandum addressed to the MCA leadership to warn the Chinese-based Barisan Nasional (BN) component party to toe the line in regards to the movement.

Banners displaying “Utusan Malaysia, the Malays’ hope”, “MCA don’t play with fire”, and “long live Utusan” were seen at the peaceful demonstration.

On Friday, MCA deputy publicity chief Loh Seng Kok warned that the “1 Melayu, 1 Bumi” movement mooted by the Malay-language daily would create an apartheid situation in Malay-majority Malaysia.

Utusan had called on its owners Umno to spearhead a “1 Melayu, 1 Bumi” movement involving all Malay parties, claiming that the DAP was intent on toppling the country’s Malay leadership.

Syed Hassan said the four-point memorandum, received by the MCA president’s press secretary Giam Say Khoon, included warnings to not bring up sensitive issues but that it is up to the party’s leaders to apologise for their actions.

“We’re here to show our support to Utusan Malaysia. Utusan Malaysia is not a racist newspaper. Utusan Malaysia had only defended the Malays’ rights,” said Syed Hassan, before accusing other newspapers of being “more racist than Utusan Malaysia”. Read more at www.themalaysianinsider.com

 

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Perkasa acting like an authority in BN

Technorati tags: Politics, Perkasa, Race Politics

Seriously, this guy Ahmad Zaini has delusions of grandeur, or what?

The "1Melayu, 1Bumi" call by Utusan is divisive. Period. Even the BN ministers, and Perkasa's own patron are distancing themselves away from this.

And now, because criticism has been leveled on Perkasa's sacred text, Utusan, they want to lord around folks in BN, case in point being MCA.

While most rational people see the "1Melayu, 1Bumi" call by Utusan to be, best case, personal opinion, and worst case, outright dangerous, the ultra-right wingnut organization, on the other hand, sees this as a golden opportunity to further their own agenda.

And in Walski's eyes, that agenda is 1Apartheid. 'Melayu uber alles', but with a perpetual crutch in order that their subsidy mentality can be propped up and nurtured for eternity.

Special. Truly Special....

Amplify’d from www.themalaysianinsider.com

Perkasa warns MCA to toe the line in 1Melayu row

The Perak chapter of Malay-rights group Perkasa today slammed MCA leaders for urging a boycott of Utusan Malaysia, claiming the party’s call was a ploy to regain dwindling Chinese support.

The head of the chapter, Ahmad Zaini, accused the Chinese party of sacrificing the co-operation among Barisan Nasional parties as it sought to remain relevant to a community that has now abandoned them in favour of the opposition.

“There's no need to pay attention to their call as they themselves are no longer acceptable in the eyes of the Chinese community,” Ahmad was quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama.

On Friday, MCA deputy publicity chief Loh Seng Kok warned that the “1Melayu, 1 Bumi” movement mooted by the Malay-language daily would create apartheid in Malay-majority Malaysia.

Utusan had called on its owners Umno to spearhead a ‘1Melayu, 1Bumi’ movement involving all Malay parties, claiming that the DAP was intent on toppling the country’s Malay leadership.

Loh also reminded Utusan that BN comprises 13 political parties representing various communities.

Today, the Perak Perkasa chief asked BN to shut out such calls from Loh and his party, and to instead give voice to leaders who remained loyal to the coalition.

He also urged BN lynchpin, Umno, to bring the Chinese-based parties in the coalition back in line after their recent criticisms of what he described as “Malay rights”. Read more at www.themalaysianinsider.com

 

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A blogosphere divided...

Technorati tags: Blogs, Malaysia, Blog House Malaysia, Partisanship, Polarization

Updated: Further thoughts on this in the full post

For the record, Walski was an exco member of All-Blogs, the now (probably) defunct fledgling organization that eventually evolved to become Blog House Malaysia.

Reading this posting by Rocky Bru leaves Walski with somewhat mixed feelings. No, he has no personal beef with any of the current Blog House Malaysia folks. In fact, he maintains a cordial relationship with quite a few of them (albeit at a distance these days).

It is good that Najib wants less polarization in the blogosphere, but our PM needs to ask himself this question: What's causing the polarization in the first place?

The answer is easy to surmise if one conducts even a cursory survey of the Malaysian blogosphere (more on that later).

Amplify’d from www.rockybru.com.my

What happened to the "anti-Establishment" bloggers?

BE MORE INCLUSIVE AND BRING ON BLOGGERS FROM "THE OTHER SIDE" NAJIB URGES BLOG HOUSE MALAYSIA.

Just before lunch, a Singaporean ex-journalist who now lectures for a living, and who was invited as a speaker at the 1st Malaysia-Asean Regional Bloggers Conference which ended today, asked what the PM would do to reduce "polarization" in the Malaysian blogosphere. The Prof observed that the "usual suspects" were missing from this inaugural regional conference. The "usual suspects" is a term he used in apparent reference to bloggers harped as anti-Establishment. I was seated at the main table in my capacity as the Adviser to the Blog House Malaysia, the NGO that organized the Conference. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, our patron, and Blog House Malaysia president Syed Akbar Ali were up on stage with the Prime Minister, who had just delivered the keynote address. Rosmah, Siti Hasmah and three Asean bloggers were at the main table with me. It was standing room inside the ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel as all 300 seats for lunch were taken up by sponsors, bloggers and observers. Najib said he, too, would like to see more inclusiveness and less polarization in the Malaysian blogosphere. "Perhaps this is something the Blog House of Malaysia would want to take up ...", he said, throwing a challenge to the Blog House Malaysia to rope in bloggers "from the other side" of the political divide. Read more at www.rockybru.com.my

 

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(a blogosphere divided, and why, in the full post)

What image does your mind conjure when the term “anti-establishment” is mentioned? The answer would depend on in whose mind the image appears. Some see “anti-establishment” as being against the government, while others might see it as being against the political party or coalition behind the government. A whole other group of others consider being anti-establishment as anything less than agreeing 100% with 100% of what the government AND the party/coalition stand for – the group Walski calls the Binary Thinkers Brigade.

And the list of what the term possibly means can probably be expanded, ad nauseum. In truth, “anti-establishment” is really in the eye of the beholder.

So why the polarization, you wonder? Simple – it’s the way bloggers from either side of the political divide conduct themselves online, particularly within the sphere of social media, blogs inclusive.

The sometimes crude language aside, the acrimonious way supporters on each side pushes their agenda to the fore is juvenile, and very often creeps into the realm of the ad hominem. Granted, Walski is sometimes guilty of doing this, too, particularly on Twitter, but it’s usually in response to asinine, irritating and insulting rhetoric.

It has gotten to the point that when an idea or statement is challenged, the return argument almost immediately degenerates into a name-calling tit-for-tat. And then you have the holier-than-God-Himself politician wannabes who have gotten their butts super-glued to their high horses. Saying that these folks are irritating is a gross understatement.

So, why is there polarization in the blogosphere, Mr. Prime Minister? It’s in part because of the very juvenile and condescending way your party and coalition’s supporters conduct themselves in social media. They are not doing you and your initiatives (many of which are good) any favors. Not one iota.

The whole, like it or not, is usually viewed as a sum of its individual parts. Many times, the individual parts maintain the image of their individuality despite belonging to a whole that may try to be different characteristically. And who make up the parts that form the executive within Blog House Malaysia? Here’s a list, taken from their website:

President - Syed Akbar Ali
Deputy President - Akhramsyah Muammar
Secretary - Tony Yew
Deputy Secretary - Firdaus Abdullah
Treasurer - Zakhir Mohamad

Committee Members:
- Shamsul Akmar
- Endie Shazaly Akbar
- Eric Woon
- Datuk Nuraina Samad
- Salahuddin Hisham

Advisor: Datuk Rocky Bru

Anyone who’s familiar with the Malaysian blogosphere can immediately recognize the fact that many of the names mentioned above are fiercely partisan, and pro-BN. Walski won’t spoon-feed you on exactly whom – that’s a reader exercise, if you’re really itching to know.

Some of these very individuals – and again, Walski will not mention which ones – are asinine and condescending online. Seeing them as part of Blog House Malaysia is in itself a turn-off.

Now, in Rocky’s posting, he did mention that Blog House Malaysia welcomes all bloggers, regardless of from which side of the political divide. Walski will give Rocky the benefit of the doubt and take his word for it.

But looking at who’s helming it, trying to be more inclusive will be an uphill task. Like justice, it’s not enough for an organization to claim to be non-partisan, it must also be seen to be non-partisan.

Frankly, the leadership of Blog House Malaysia – the sum of parts – does not at all give the impression of non-partisanship, knowing what the individuals post online, either on their respective blogs, or on Twitter.

Sorry, Rocky – not that he doesn’t believe you, but that’s how Walski sees it. As do how many other bloggers would probably see it, too.

Be that as it may, Blog House Malaysia (BHM) has just successfully pulled off the first Malaysian-ASEAN Regional Bloggers Conference. For that, Walski congratulates you – job well-done, from all accounts he’s seen/read.

It has managed to succeed where All-Blogs didn’t, and Walski does hope that it enjoys success in its future undertakings. BHM is certainly better funded these days, and enjoys patronage of the highest possible level.

However, for Walski there is probably little chance that he will be signing up anytime soon. Again, it’s the sum of parts thing, and how some of the parts portray themselves online. Adding to that is the patronage – no secrets as to whether said patronage “looks” non-partisan or not.

The Malaysian political blogosphere (or bloggerhood, as Walski calls it) can generally be divided into three – those who are pro-BN, those who are pro-Opposition, and those whom have chosen to not be pro-anybody.

Walski would say that he classifies himself as being part of the third group.

But because BN has positioned itself as the Government (and not the party that makes up the executive branch of government), those who don’t support BN 100% are usually seen as being anti-Government by default. Again, it’s usually the Binary Thinkers Brigade who view it this way.

Walski will say that there are some within the Blog House Malaysia leadership who think this way, or at the very least, portray themselves online as if they do. Until BHM can prove itself to be inclusive (and not just say it is), until then there will be resistance to participate.

He speaks for his own self in this regard, but Walski is quite sure it is not him alone who thinks that way,

Click here for the full post......

Allegations of election fraud in S'wak

Technorati tags: Politics, Sarawak Report, Election Fraud, Sarawak

Updated: Additional commentary and rants, in the full post

The knee-jerk reaction from sycophantic supporters of BN will likely be "sour grapes" on the part of Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

But if there was fraud, and if there is compelling proof that there were fraudulent acs during the 10th Sarawak state elections, then these must be brought to light. And since the Malaysian authorities may not be impartial when it comes to things BN, the next recourse would be the United Nations.

That said, what good this will bring in the end is questionable - Malaysia doesn't exactly have the best track record when it comes to adhering to universal standards.

Amplify’d from www.freemalaysiatoday.com

Observers to tell UN the true Sarawak story

The incident in Sarawak’s Senadin constituency involving PKR candidate Dr Michael Teo will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva today.

The disputed results on April 16 will form the spine of a presentation to be made by Sarawak Report (SR) and other observers of the recently concluded 10th Sarawak election.

According to SR blogger Clare Rewcastle Brown, “we will tell exactly what happened (in Sarawak)”.

Citing Senadin, she said PKR was leading by 1,000 odd-votes during the last ballot counting in Miri City Stadium when suddenly a blackout “conveniently occurred”.

The blackout, she said, lasted an hour during which time the Election Commission (EC) continued counting.

“Suddenly they brought in ‘postal’ votes at an illegally late hour and SUPP was declared ‘winners’ with a slim 58-vote majority.

“The EC also announced 158 spoiled votes favouring PKR. The commission refused a recount despite the fact that there was a clear case for it,” she said.

Brown added that the Senadin incident was only one example that SR was planning to present to the UN. Read more at www.freemalaysiatoday.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/b102n0

(more of Walski's thoughts, in the full post)

Here’s the deal – many pro-government and pro-BN individuals have indicated that a site like Sarawak Report (the one without the trailing ‘s’) can’t be trusted, simply because one of the persons associated with it is Claire Rewcastle Brown, sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

They will also frequently use this reason to claim a different kind of FDI – Foreign Direct Interference.

While doing this, however, these sycophants will not even entertain the slightest possibility that some (if not all) allegations against the BN-run state government, and in particular its Chief Minister, could very well be true.

You see, in their minds, Barisan Nasional (BN) can do no wrong, and the opposition no right. Whether they truly believe this or not is another matter, but publicly that seems to be their standard stand. Scripted, almost.

It is this sort of binary thinking that causes every single thing open to the possibility of being politicized. Quite frankly, it’s tiring. Granted, some in the opposition camp are also guilty of this kind of black/white logic, but it’s usually the BN champions that take every little issue to town.

Another annoying thing: these sycophants when unable to refute the fact that current Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud has been in office for 30 years, will often bring up the fact that Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh have been in party leadership positions for as long, if not longer. The elephant in the room that’s totally ignored: comparing elected office to political party positions as if the two were the same thing.

They almost have a point, though, with Nik Aziz who has been Chief Minister of Kelantan since 1990. But that’s still almost a decade less than Taib, who assumed office in 1981, and who doesn’t seem to even have any desire to relinquish his position, evidenced by his haste in getting himself sworn in right after the 2010 state election.

His position has undoubtedly brought him and his family immense wealth, and apparently 3 decades is not enough.

Being an incumbent doesn’t give one the right to rule indefinitely. Last Walski checked, Malaysia is still a democracy, albeit one that is far from perfect. And in a democracy, who gets to rule is subject to change. No two ways about it.

When an incumbent party resorts to election fraud, as alleged, it can only mean that said party no longer has the full support of its populace. Even if there wasn’t any fraud involved, the mere fact that BN’s popular vote decreased by 8 percentage points (from 63% previously to 55% in the recent election) is an indication that the people of Sarawak’s support for BN is waning.

The big question now is this: with these allegations having arisen, is the Election Commission going to do anything about it, or just dismiss them without investigation?

Click here for the full post......