BN Win Big in Balingian

Former Dalat district officer Yussibnosh Balo retained the Balingian seat for BN on Saturday with an increased majority of 6,911. Balo garnered 8,194 votes against PKR’s Abdul Jalil Bujang 1,283. 

Balingian in Sarawak has 13,233 registered voters and the voter turnout was only 72.33%. 

The Reds returned to the top of the EPL table for the first time since Christmas with an emphatic 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

It took only two minutes for the first of many defensive errors by the visitors, when Liverpool’s Glen Johnson was allowed to cross from the right and force an own goal by Younes Kaboul. Then substitute centreback Michael Dawson inadvertently set Luis Suarez clear in the 25th for the Uruguayan to put away a left foot shot low into the goalmouth’s far corner – eclipsing Robbie Fowler's record of 28 goals in a Premier League season for Liverpool in the process. This was followed by Philippe Coutinho finishing off a wonderful team goal in the 55th with a low drive from 25 meters before Jordan Henderson's inswinging free kick missed everyone in the area and landed in the bottom corner (75).

The Russian Bear Bares its Fangs

Photo: Reuters/Vasily Fedosenko 

Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters

I LOL-ed when I read that US President Barack Obama had declared that Russia is acting "not out of strength, but out of weakness" in Ukraine (BBC News, March 25, 2014). 

I don’t think he knew what he was talking about. Against the backdrop of Russia’s “absurd” annexation of Crimea, this is rather strange. 

Even the word ‘absurd’ is another example of a strange choice of words. Obama had used the ‘absurd’ word on March 26, 2014 to describe Vladimir Putin's arguments for retaking Crimea. 

It doesn’t matter anyhow because to me, Crimea belongs to Russia. And if that is so, how can Russia be the aggressor? 

If you ask me, Ukraine too is Russian.

According to Andriy Parubiy, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, there are more than 80,000 Russian troops massed on the Russian side of the Russia-Ukraine border. How could Obama interpret that as a weakness? 

More so, when Pentagon spokesperson Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby on Thursday had said that the Russian force there is “a composition that provides a lot of capability” – indicating that it could conduct a comprehensive assault on Ukraine. 

Maybe Obama saw the Russian gambit as military posturing. It is nothing more than just psychological warfare to intimidate Ukraine.

Methinks, the joke is really on Obama (and his European allies). His Crimean response was the introduction of a slew of slap-on-the-wrist sanctions targeted at some Russian individuals.

As if that will stop Putin (left) in his tracks. If he wants to grab Ukraine, he will and he can.

It is obvious Russia is ready. Ready for what depends on the Russian President’s intentions. 

The truth of the matter is that the US of A is helpless. Europe is NATO, meaning No Action, Talk Only.  

Yesterday, I was hoping for a miracle. I was rooting for Arsenal to beat Manchester City. That did not happen unfortunately but it was still good as the Gunners did manage a 1-1 draw against the latter. That will slow down the EPL juggernaut. 

As for Arsenal, their title chase is over. 

And it was also heartening to see current table-toppers Chelsea fall to a surprise 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace. 

The above results provide the perfect setting for Liverpool to win today’s game against Tottenham and grab the top spot. 

I have no doubt that we are going to witness the three teams racing to a very tight finish in the EPL. 

And in the Scottish Premiership match that is purely an academic exercise for Celtic, they were held to a 1-1 draw against Ross County. The Scottish champions have now amassed 85 points.

MH370 and the F1 Malaysian GP

 

 

Image credit: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/27/More-states-should-fly-flags-at-halfmast/
 

The Malaysian Prime Minister’s announcement on MH370 on Monday stank of ambiguity because it merely succeeded in throwing the country into confusion. Some Malaysian states such as Johore, Perak and Penang flew their flags at half-mast. Other states did not. 

Najib Razak thought he was being clever but in the end, he just muddied the waters further.

 

Touching gesture: The Caterham F1 team's coordinator Graham Smith placing a MH370 tribute sticker on the nose cone of the Formula One Car at Malaysia’s Sepang Circuit. Image credit: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/28/F1-drivers-show-their-respects-Racers-place-tribute-stickers-on-their-cars/
 

BTW, the F1 Malaysian GP is on this weekend. Against the backdrop of the missing MH370, Formula One drivers have tribute stickers on their helmets and others carry the stickers on their cars. The Caterham F1 team – see photo above – placed the #PRAYFORMH370 sticker on their front nose cones. 

But here’s my dilemma. I read in the same news report that a minute’s silence would be observed ahead of the race. So what’s the real situation with regard to MH370? Are we mourning the MH370 dead? Or are we praying that there are still survivors? 

Sorry, I'm just befuddled. 

On Thursday evening, I was in Damansara Jaya to attend the D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters meeting. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay until the end – I left after the first speech evaluation – but it was an interesting meeting nonetheless.  

The "Buy-their-loyalties" By-election

The Balingian by-election has been flourishingly described as a “buy-their-loyalties” polls, which is startling considering the seat has been a BN stronghold since 2001 when former chief minister Taib Mahmud won the seat. In the 2011 state election Taib retained the seat by 5,154 votes. In the earlier 2006 polls he locked in a majority of 5,726 votes.

 

Still that did not stop Sarawak’s Infrastructure and Communication Minister Michael Manyin from pledging to build a 11-kilometer missing link road between Kuala Serumpai and Kuala Tatau at a cost of RM230 million! Only in Sarawak, a missing link road can get you votes. Villagers are going to be so indebted.

 

If you do your sums, this means that on the average one kilometer stretch of road in Sarawak would cost between RM1 to RM1.5 million to build. I must mention that somebody is also going to make reams of money on this deal.

 

The above-mentioned project and many others in Balingian will all receive generous infusions of funds that can be expected to exceed the total sum spent on the constituency in the last five decades!

 

After all, Balingian falls in Sarawak’s ‘industrial’ zone. Taib’s pet project Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy (Score) is sited in the Mukah parliamentary constituency where Balingian sits.

 

Not only that but local residents have been ceaselessly bombarded with reminders that a big victory will be a show of gratitude to Taib and an endorsement of his successor Adenan Satem’s administration.

 

It is expected that this by-election will be a shoo-in for BN. However, the opposition PR-PKR is hoping to eat into BN’s previous majority. BN, on the other hand, is aiming for a landslide victory. And Chief Minister and Sarawak BN chairperson Adenan Satem even expressed his wish to see the PKR candidate lose his deposit.

 

My hope is that Sarawakians become wiser.

 

Yesterday, I was at PJ’s Jalan Yong Shook Lin to attend the IJM Toastmasters meeting. The meeting started five minutes late and by the time it concluded, we were behind by 37 minutes. The speeches were alright but the evaluations were better. Thankfully, Table Topics met with a much better response. I found the members were eager but their enthusiasm was muted. Maybe, because it was a lunchtime meeting, therefore, it was not easy to get energized at that time of the day.

 

Anyway, that sums up the meeting. Personally I thought it could be better-organized. I would give this meeting a 2.5 over 10 score.

 

 

Ridhuan Tee Promotes Cendol on MAS Flights

Ridhuan Tee Abdullah (left) in his Sinar Harian column on Monday drew up a list of lessons to be learnt in the wake of the MH370 saga. 

First, female flight attendants should don the hijab, he instructed. It is not only about shielding their aurat (parts of body to be covered according to Islamic teachings) and protecting their modesty. He gave another equally important reason, i.e. it can prevent hair from dropping on the food. 

Hmmm, Ridhuan has a point there. But hair shedding is a relatively common phenomenon. Maybe MAS should recruit cabin crew who has an Alopecia condition. Problem solved. And why target the women only? Men too shed their hair, y’know! 

Image credit: http://www.papermag.com/2013/06/fab_flight_attendants.php

He mentioned about being annoyed that stewardesses wore short and see-through attire. I had not realized that MAS cabin crew uniforms have been changed. The last time I flew – okay, it has been almost four months! – I only saw them wearing the iconic sarong kebaya uniform (above photo). It is time to have an eye check and perhaps even change my glasses – I didn’t see what Ridhuan saw. 

Of course I wish they would show more (as in the photo below) but fat chance! 

  

Image credit: http://elitedaily.com/envision/the-reinvented-mile-high-club-worlds-best-looking-cabin-crews/

Second, Ridhuan suggested that the national carrier stop serving liquor on its flights. Instead, MAS should serve cendol (a sweet coconut milk dessert – see photo below). 

Alright! I love cendol, so I am okay with it. And while he's at it, why not get MAS to also serve sirap, sirap bandung, teh tarik, teh-o, teh susu, teh ais, teh halia, 3-layer tea, kopi-o, kopi susu, kopi ais, horlicks, milo and many other local (non-alcoholic) beverages?

Third, he said he has no problems being frisked by airport security before boarding a flight. His words were more like an invitation: "Fondle me to your heart's content for the dignity and security of our beloved land”!

I hope he didn’t mean that. Sometimes, what you wish for is what you get!

After you have read the above, some of you may be confused. Confounded. Maybe, even many of you. You are likely to ask how the above is related to MH370. Please don’t ask me. I am just as confused and confounded as you are. 

Ridhuan Tee Abdullah is good at being himself. He is who he is. What he lacks in intelligence, he more than makes up for in stupidity.

Pakatan Are Not Having It Easy in Sarawak

Campaigning for the Balingian by-election is supposedly in full swing but news have been scant. In any case, Pakatan Rakyat are not having it easy in Sarawak. 

PKR stalwarts Saifuddin Nasution, Tian Chua, Rafizi Ramli and Zuraida Kamaruddin were all denied entry into the state.

Sure, Sarawak has the power to bar them but that authority must be exercised strictly within the limits of the Federal Constitution as prescribed in Article 9(3) of the Constitution and the Immigration Act. All they wanted was to engage in legitimate political activity. What is wrong with that? 

It is regrettable that Malaysians cannot move freely within their own country! 

Classy Celtic clinched the Scottish Premiership title in stylish fashion yesterday – their third Scottish title in a row with seven games to spare – when they ruthlessly demolished Partick Thistle 5-1. The goal scorers for Celtic were Anthony Stokes (4, 90), Liam Henderson (49), Stefan Johansen (53) and Kris Commons (90). 

Partick Thistle managed to get on the score sheet once – through Christie Elliot (85).

The victory established an unassailable 26-point lead over second-placed Aberdeen as Celtic became champions for the 45th time. And it is the earliest the Scottish top flight has been secured since Rangers won on March 16 in season 1928-29!

 
Congratulations, Celtic! 

 

 

 

 

 

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Manchester City's comprehensive victory over Manchester United in Tuesday's derby meant that all eyes were on Anfield and the Reds did not disappoint. They continued their winning streak, this time carving a 2-1 win over Sunderland.

In the thirty-ninth minute, Steven Gerrard produced a stunning free kick from 23 yards that the other side's goalie couldn't keep out. And in the forty-eighth minute, Daniel Sturridge curled in his twentieth league goal to make it two-zero. The Black Cats refused to surrender and they scored a consolation goal in the seventy-sixth minute. 

The Reds now move into second place.

MH370: No Closure Yet

Yesterday, Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (left) stated that there will be no closure for MH370 passengers' families unless debris is located to confirm that the aircraft had indeed gone down. 

He said there was no solid proof of MH370's whereabouts.

However, he made the promise that "we will do whatever it takes to locate MH370". 

And he did point out that French authorities had spent two years searching before finally locating the bulk of the wreckage (and the black box) of the ill-fated Air France flight 447 – which disappeared in June 2009 – in the vast Atlantic Ocean. 

That may be so but it took search teams only five days before they found debris. 

In MH370’s case, nothing has been found yet. It is therefore important that we do not abandon the search. 

The world may have gone weary with the waiting and therefore, I am seeing an outpouring of grief since Monday. And all of this was because of a simple statement that Malaysia's PM Najib Razak made, i.e. “…flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean”. 

But if you have someone on board MH370, you would want to wait for a little while longer. At least until some proper evidence is found. 

Last evening, I was at the Taman Indrahana Toastmasters meeting at the Cobra Club in Lorong Utara B in Petaling Jaya. 

I presented my CC#3 speech titled "Second Place” and Lim Thian Seng was my evaluator. This was Round 3 of Project 15. [I have so far already started on nine rounds of the CC manual but I have yet to kickstart another six to make it 15, which is my original goal for this calendar year]. 

Yesterday’s speeches were generally good and so too were the evaluations. A good meeting overall and it deserves a score of an 8 over 10.