My stand on PPSMI has been very clear. It has been stated many times previously in this blog so I am not going to go into it anymore.
What i want to post today is the interesting observation on why there is such a sudden change in decision of the No. 2.
We all know the Old Horse has been perceived to be ‘playing both cards” or some of you may like to use the term ‘playing both sides”. The British has a nicer term ‘divide and rule”. When you divide and rule, you get both sides trying to please you and you get the best of both worlds, so to speak. You can also choose the one willing to make best deals with you.
Of course, people like me and most of you out there would not be able to play divide and rule. You need a certain status and stature at least, and you must be able to command support from a big proportion of members in order to be able to play such game.
The last Chief was not even in Old Horse’s book to play. He pushed him out outright, and many people thought it was because of the cancellation of the crooked bridge and so on.
But the present chief has been quite astute. He has also been treading on a very careful line so as not to step onto you-know-who’s toes. But at one time, his policies were deemed to be nott to the liking of the conservatives ( especially initially his stand on NEP), hence the outsourced organisation P was formed and Old Horse became some sort of ‘patron’ . By using this outsourced organisation, he was able to check many of the otherwise-would-be-more-liberal policies, causing many flip flopping like you see in an acrobatic show. The new economic model was toned down, many u-turns were taken .
It has also given rise to the perception/rumours that the Old Horse is behind No.2 and the right wingers associated with him and that there is an undercurrent waiting to push NO.1 out.
The right wingers were seen to be on the ascendancy especially after the “Big Rally July” debacle. Even though the right wingers are against the rally , they used the mishandling to portrait No 1 as being weak and indecisive. Then the precious stone incident came out ( who but those in high positions can get those documents?) That was the low point.
But as the Cantonese ( I am not but I think they have lots of wisdom) says: a person will have “sam soi lok wong”, meaning a person will have 3 downs and 6 ups in his life. After experiencing downs, there will definitely be ups.. This is usually used to motivate someone who is down, but in life, very often this turns out to be true.
No. 1 after experiencing the low, decided that he could not be either here or there, trying to please both liberals and right wingers , but in the end pleasing none. So he came out with some of the biggest decisions in his life, repealing certain laws that the liberals have been pushing for it.. Without the Big Rally July”, it would not of course happen, but if we delve into it deeper, this was because of his own very survival is at stake.
The No. 2 ‘s announcements the last few weeks sounded like the death of PPSMI has already be cast in stone and there is no more hope for those pushing for an option of using it.
Just imagine if you are in form 3 now and all these while you are using a certain language to learn maths and science and suddenly they are telling you that next year when you are in form 4 , you have to use another language, and then in a few years’ time, when you enter college, you will have to revert back to using the former again, how confusing and depressing can this be?
But just when all the lights seem to be out for PPSMI, a voice that belongs to none other than the Old Horse suddenly spoke up against the abolition of this, and he was even quoted as asking No 1 to overturn No 2’s decision, and there was even a report quoting him as saying that NO 1 could replace No 2 as the person in charge of this. I must admit this is one of the few times that I feel like giving him a hug.
After he spoke, the whole board game seems to have changed. The option remains. The form 3 student i spoke about can continue using the same language he has been using all this while next year..
The perception now is that from the trough, NO 1 is slowly but surely rising , and maybe this time he may reach the crest. The flip flop in announcement was bad for No 2 politically. But do not write him off yet!
Politics is like roller coasters. One moment you are up, next you will be down. When you are up, do not be too arrogant. When you are down, do not feel despair. Whether you are up or down, there will come a moment that you have to leave the wagon and stand on level ground eventually!
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Nov 09, 2011 @ 13:00:22
After reading through the article this last sentence sum it all “Whether you are up or down, there will come a moment that you have to leave the wagon one day!” sooner or later.
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 13:31:00
Old Horse, although unprincipled, is pragmatic. So he supports teaching science and maths in English.
But the Southerner is ….. just unprincipled !
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 13:36:34
Two stories I would like to share with Dr Hsu and blog readers:
A Tale of Two Languages (Part One):
I went to a conference in Turkey recently. All the Turkish speakers
(being nationalistic?) spoke in Turkish – with simultaneous translation
into English. But this did not work well i.e. it is not easy for ordinary translators to grasp and translate scientific or technical (public health) terms from one language to another language.
After a while, I just gave up listening to the simultaneous translations and closed my eyes and listened to the melody of the beautiful Turkish language
(without understanding 99.99 % of what was being said 🙂 )
I also hope that my presentation given in English was not badly mangled when it was translated into Turkish 🙂 )
A Tale of Two Languages (Part Two):
At this recent conference in Turkey, the President of the Turkish Medical
Association tried to tell an American joke in Turkish i.e. the
joke (somewhat sexist) about how a good speech should be like a mini skirt.
The simultaneous translation from Turkish into English was badly mangled and
probably incomprehensible to the non-Turks in the audience who have not heard the joke in English before !
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 14:00:25
Definition of pragmatic “relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters : practical as opposed to idealistic”
I think Mahathir is idealistic wrt PPSMI.
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 14:11:54
“I must admit this is one of the few times that I feel like giving him a hug.”
That is why i always said Mahathir is a great politician, he has the grip of our paranoia at his fingertips.
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 14:39:10
This debacle clearly shows that the Old Horse is behind it all. He is practising what his colonialists used to do. Smart and practicle , yes, but , often he spiked it up with a dash of racial spice here and here and get everyone worked up, pointing fingers, and still smiling eventhough one is holding grudges behind one’s back.
In the end, the rakyat suffers.
Hence, politics is more intriguing, demeaning, and disparaging than just rollercoastering.
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 14:52:56
This arm critic chair must be nut to praise the old horse as the great politician.As i have said his brain is unbalanced.Typical ball licking pro BN.
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 16:02:47
Richard Loh… I agree with you. No 1 or No 2 can be the president or future president but not be the PM sooner or later.
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 16:26:13
“a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles.”
Typical street educated retart.
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 17:27:01
Doc
Very brilliant write for me. It’s a game played many times all over the centuries by those in seat or throes of power. It’s a politician game. On PPSMI its played by not only bn but pr as well. Your write on bn can can be deeper but its a excellent capture of things. PR too play the same with LGE “right to differ”. DAP one stand. PAS another and PR another to capture all.
Wish you write more across the board to let people see how politicians play the game. I really liked your write this time. It would have been better if you can do a macro picture how both sides are playing it.
That’s why to me no politicians can be principled. None. They see too many people of different values. They change values according to whom they meet.
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 17:53:41
Yes Ellese, No 2 is a victim of “politician game” indeed.
Who lost the election but managed to get Razak to appoint him as a senator and cabinet minister? Whom do you think led the downfall of the 1st PM? After six weeks without a DPM who appointed him to be the DPM? Who appointed his son to be a cabinet minister? Who is the longest serving PM? Can’t you see it streetfighter..??
Rhan, permission to borrow yours please.. “Mahathir is a great politician.. I must admit this is one of the few times that I feel like giving him a hug.”:)
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Nov 09, 2011 @ 21:06:27
Ellese is twisting. aiz is floating in the air, puffing weeds.
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Nov 10, 2011 @ 14:32:45
Hi Sally
This is something you may want to read:
http://chronicle.com/article/Intellectual-Roots-of-Wall/129428/
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Nov 10, 2011 @ 15:52:57
Thanks Prof. Phua…
I am sorry… I think I am allergic to the word anarchy for the following points which I cut and paste from the article.
1. “It is an example of anarchism’s philosophy, or what Mr. Graeber describes as “democracy without a government.”
2.”You can’t create a just society through violence, or freedom through a tight revolutionary cadre. You can’t establish a big state and hope it will go away. The means and ends have to be the same.”
And I would interpret “an intellectual vanguard model of leadership” as shifting blame to the kids by Mr. Graeber.
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Nov 10, 2011 @ 16:31:26
Hmmm … to me, the main weakness of anarchist political thought (the non-violent majority i.e. the Kropotkin followers, not the violent minority)
is their unrealistic idealism and unproven faith in the goodness of humanity and its
ability to co-operate spontaneously etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism
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Nov 10, 2011 @ 16:45:13
Ok.. ok …. I read you Prof.. Thanks for the clarification. Rgds
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Nov 10, 2011 @ 21:19:14
I read the link on anarchism and found this “The earliest[44] anarchist themes can be found in the 6th century BC, among the works of Taoist philosopher Laozi,[43] and in later centuries by Zhuangzi….”
Actually beside Zhuangzi (who said the world does not need governing; in fact it should not be governed), another major philosophy that branched out from Taoism is Fa Jia (Legalism or rule by law), initiated by Han Feizi and Li Si that help to establish the Qin dynasty. If we are a believer of Yin and Yang philosophy, we would know everything can go both sides, a duality. If the administrators apply a dialectical approach, perhaps the society that apply anarchism as a whole would shift to the middle, otherwise we might encounter the extreme as what told by Sally, for instance, the tyranny Qin and the anarchy Cultural Revolution. That is why most scholars pick Confucianism: the doctrine of the Mean (中庸), and of course today we prefer democracy, unless China/CCP prove to the world that democracy is not the only way.
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 11:23:24
I was told by a very successful businessman that there is no such thing as a brilliant company strategy; he believes there is only brilliant managers and CEOs.
Maybe in the management of nations, there is no such thing as good ideology but only good rulers.
Having said so, I would not want to go back to dynastic rules, even though in history there were some conscientious and good emperors, the chances of abuses are too high with dynastic rules..
Using the law of average, democratic systems are still best , even though I see that as society become more advanced and more self centered, grassroots democracy, with people having more say in the management of national affairs, would become the trend.
Anarchy usually occurs when most people are disenchanted with the ruling class, and most disenchantment results from ‘not-able-to-fill-the-stomach’syndrome. When most people are relatively well off, have a roof above them and some money to spare, they would not want to have chaos.
So in politics, whatever system you adopt, the first rule is always take care of the stomach of the people, and then the roof over their heads. Part of the reasons of the disenchantment all over the world is because people have no jobs, cannot even afford to rent a house, not to mention owning one..
Poverty —-disenchantment—anarchy—chaos—systemic rule. This is the cycle many society goes through again and again.
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 11:35:40
talking about roofs, it is a world wide trends that younger people are finding it difficult to own a house..
In Australia, a one room apartment near CBD Melbourne is now around A$400,000 (without a car park– you need another 60000 to buy one). In other Australian cities, the same trend is happening. In Singapore and Hong Kong, property is like gold, it is more than most young working adults can afford.
The only place where property prices are holding are perhaps Erope and USA, biut even then, during the boom in the last decades, prices have already shot up above the roof.
Part of the reasons why there is such hot demand is the Chinese. There ia now more than one million Chinese Euro-dollar millionaires. Many of them have children studying overseas, and they have no qualms of buying properties for their children to stay, instead of renting like most students from other countries.
In Singapore, my sister told me that the rich chinese will just grab any property that is put on the market, those in good areas are going without even any bargaining.
I just read a report that many of these Chinese euro-miillionaires are applying to be PR of countries like USA, Australia, NZ, CAnada, and SIngapore Hong Kong, expect the properties there to go up and up..
If Renminbi appreciates, expects costs of living of most Asians and some western countries to go up, because with the spending power of these people , and their ‘limited’ number of offsprings ( many are very spoilt and come from one-child families) to just spend and spend and push up all things..
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 11:49:07
Rhan. I am a supporter of Shang Yang and Li Si. These were people of vision, pragmatiism and great capability. Look at Laozi and Zhuangzi. What had they really achieved? Shang Yang and later Li Si took the tiny Qin state and reformed it to become the mighty Qin and ended the centuries of war. Shang Yang and Li Si brought order, discipline and even fairness to the Qin society. This is opposite of anarchic rule. Fast forward to the twentieth century. Look and Lee Kuan Yu and Singapore. In name, Lee Kuan Yu talked about Confucius. But in reality, he followed Shang Yang.
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 12:15:02
Shang Yang depended on Li Kui’s Fajing to reform Qin.
But if he was like some of the present politicians, and applied double standards, I am sure Qin would not become strong.
We too have laws, and we are supposedly a country ruled by law. But because some of the people in charge apply double standards, there were so much of abuses.
So I tempt to think that to have a successful reign, it is not only the law but also the one applying the law.. Just like a company is successful mainly because of the managers ..
You can have the laws but if someone applies it to the citizenry but not to those well connected, then failure of rule will result and in the worst case scenario, anarchy can happen.
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 14:06:14
klm, Singapore is pretty small, and it is easier to control and island than a country, moreover LKY is smart enough to conceal his legalism under the mask of democracy and Confucianism, with a ready work force who migrate there from the poverty motherland to seek a better life, but does Singapore achievement really exceed those of Hong Kong, another island that promote a relatively free environment in many aspect? Can PAP continue with the same manner for the next few generations, or they have to rely on the millionaire immigrant and expertise from the motherland again? I don’t know, and that is why I said “unless China/CCP prove to the world that democracy is not the only way.”, I didn’t mention Singapore because i first thought Singapore is too small for fair comparison.
Back to philosophy and ideology, Hsu has a point when he talked about the CEO and manager, but question is for how long? Qin dynasty is short, very short and we know how legalist like ShangYang, Han Feizi and Li Si died. But I absolutely agree when you said “This is opposite of anarchic rule.”, that is why I bring up Yin and Yang, and that is how the legalist interpret Daodejing.
China talk about imperialism, Singapore talk about an island surrounded by Muslim and Malaysia talk about the Chinese are going to take over the country, don’t we think it is very interesting to see how all this paranoia could help to protect/prolong this few authoritarian regime?
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 14:08:00
Dr. Hsu. Your comment reminded me of the story of Shang Yang and the crown prince of Qin. He had the nose of the crown prince cut as per the law of QIn because the crown prince broke the law. There was no double standard. How many politicians then and now will have the conviction and courage to do this.
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 15:28:36
A useful article on techniques of political propaganda:
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/proptech.htm
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 15:36:54
More can be added to the list of techniques of political propaganda given in the above link e.g.
The “Equivalence” argument.
Such as (when trying to defend the indefensible) saying that, yes, the Nazis did commit war crimes and carry out genocidal policies but ….. so did the Allies in their bombing of German cities.
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 15:38:29
Prof Phua. This is the equivalent to Colgate’s Dentists recommend …..
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 16:10:32
I thought that is kind of Tu quoque? Chomsky said this “Remember, children. Propaganda works because we don’t know we’re being propagandized”
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 17:27:41
Well said, Rhan. Ignorance is indeed what the propagandists were capitalized on for centuries to prolong their reign in power.
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Nov 11, 2011 @ 17:31:53
We tend to whack the current No. 2 in PPSMI case but we conveniently forgot the main culprit that led us to the current predicament of poor command of English is the old horse. Now he try to become the champion of PPSMI.
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Nov 12, 2011 @ 10:21:05
This is an insightfulful article. And the points are compelling.
The old horse has been trying to set up his son for the path to be a future PM, this is nothing unique, LKY of Singapore did the same. The old George Bush has similar efforts but the other son get to the throne first who is not his favourite son. In the meatime, we the common people are like ants stepped on by these elephants.
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Nov 12, 2011 @ 15:19:47
Within UMNO b party…..it has reached a stage…..where crazy for power have split the said party into two major groups with some sitting on the fence.
It is a party where all kingpins are millionaires.
Who has the most power to have the cake and leave the crumbs to others.
It was Mahathir who encouraged corruptions for 22 years.
It’s a party….so greedy for money….where actually all are not Muslims at all.
It’s a name for show….and performed by the biggest hypocrites…shaming it’s own race and religion…with not one bit of regret….for all are drunk with good life ..living like kings and queens with millions stole from Malaysians.
The post is talking about UMNO b politicians… situation….weaknesses and strength.
Nothing to analyze….discuss what crooks next move is next.
It is the people supporting UMNO b that confused me..and you should listen to their supporters explanations….where one can conclude it is their jobs they are protecting not really supporting Najib/Mahathir at all.
Dr.Hsu like to explain the ups and downs of UMNO b.
What matters most is for all Malaysians to vote for change and see the difference.
Until and unless we have a Malaysian Malaysia….truly united and all proud to be one race..the Malaysians…Malaysians will always be divide.
Divided….. we fall…united we stand firm and tall.
In a nutshell…..make your votes speak more than your mouths.
And if you have the gift to guide confused minds to a clear path…do it to win one more vote..for change.
To discuss is dangerous with few here who will never vote for change as they are either short-sighted…..afraid…or are paid to promote BN no differences to PR.
Cannot win…create as much trouble a they can…asking and putting out… nonsensical things..
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Nov 12, 2011 @ 15:38:29
If you believe Najib is a liar and flip flopper…..then vote for change…no matter how much he try and show he has changed for the better..for besides lying and flip flopping…he dare not defend himself on the RM700 million giving out as commissions for the submarines matter that have a murder included.
But if you believe Najib is a nice guy….humble and a great PM…then vote for him.
Be sure…your conscience is clear to face Malaysians …..but I know……change it must be….or face the most divided people and country…you may like to experience.
They say….curiosity kills the cat.
Which cat dies?….is the big question.
We saw what happen to Gadaffi,
Believe me….Freedom Fighters…the real People Power..are ready to free Malaysians at all cost….after 12th GE.
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Nov 12, 2011 @ 15:59:57
Anwar has declared he is the PM in waiting…smiling…and next moment police want to question him for this and that.
He loves to make Najib hopping mad.
Anwar is a great joker and love and love needling Najib…as if he wants more trouble.
Najib is smiling 11-11-11 has come and gone…no 13th GE announcement as predicted.
It is a fact…he dare not announce the date at all.
He knows he is going to loose big…and so little help from everyone….including from Chua Soi Lek…helps.. but Koh Tsu Koon is starring at the wall…do not know what to say or do.. to please his master.
Look at Star paper and you know what I mean.
Ambiga immediately fire Chua and that’s how brave freedom fighters are today.
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Nov 12, 2011 @ 16:51:10
what happens in UMNo affects the whole nation as it is still the party that charts the direction of the country until and unless it can be replaced.
Whoever helms UMNO will have a big say how the country is run..
we all hope for change, but in the event that cannot happen ( no one can predicts what happens anf they are still the party to beat) , then what happens inside is even more important.. That is why it is important to be informed.
It is not that I like them… Read my statement of my resignaation from Gerakan, and you all know my feeliing about this party..I am just sharing what i know .If anyone finds posts on Big brother offensive, just dont read them.
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Nov 12, 2011 @ 18:27:36
No one should be offended by Doc’s post.
It is good to inform Malaysians the pros and cons..and be realistic to situation that exist
However…it is equally important that Malaysians must know the meaning of 12th GE.
it is not a fluke short nor people bought by PR as accused by the ever sickening BN poor losers.
In fact they not poor losers. They simply cannot afford to loose and that is because the corruptions is so deep…so widely spread…once they fall…no more secrets.
Now readers have the choice the cast their votes with no fear.
Both sides are told.
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Nov 12, 2011 @ 18:37:47
We are facing a Government that cannot afford to loose.
They are trying all sorts of stunts to hide the real truth of the matters.
What should be do….continue the so call peaceful and harmonious life…or face the music…vote for change with no choice….no fear.
Short of applying the stunt……with paid gangsters to burn cars and houses…and apply Emergency Rule…for few years and start all over again.
Dare they do that?
Study how the ever powerful .so call invincible Golka party fell in Indonesia,,,how Soeharto stepped down.
We are 15 years too late and it will happen in Malaysia….UMNOI B must fall.
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Nov 13, 2011 @ 17:04:08
Go read..”What do the Chinese want?” said by Mahathir.
All details in Malaysiakini blog.
He must keep on dividing the races and never call all as Malaysians.
UMNO b is his.
Do you want to live as divided people?…and naturally Malays will forever can do what they like.
But Mahathir and all his Malay important members in UMNO b are not treating Malays equal at all?
If they did…PAS will have to fold up long ago.
And now the Malays in keDAILan…hates Mahathir too.
So why does Mahathir say…..What do the Chinese want?”.
He is trying to tell Muslims come back..support UMNO b and we all get rid of Chinese in Malaysia.
That is why…Malaysian Chinese must never call themselves Chinese anymore.
They must be proud Malaysians for the truth is..they are no more Chinese.
Go to China and see how the Chinese treat Malaysian Chinese…like tourists…like other foreigners.
Thousands on Malaysian Chinese have living relatives connections in China.
Don’t forget them….and when you have the opportunity to meet them…be proud of your connections…but never hero worship China as your country anymore.
Chinese Government will not send troops to protect Malaysian Chinese being murdered or bullied in Malaysia…or any other countries in the world.
MCA active members are worst kind of Malaysian Chinese.
They will sell their souls to be second class citizens and love race and religion politics.to be crooked millionaires.
Yes…I read what Mahathir said…..and UMNO b must be voted out..if all Malaysian Chinese don’t fall into his trap.
Once Mahathir succeeds…to divide races….and talk…and win Muslims with his talks…..you are to be blamed.for your children’s downfall.
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Nov 13, 2011 @ 17:21:59
Hi monsterball,
I would prefer not to be overly ambitious. Life is rarely exactly the way we want it to be, and very often other people don’t act the way we would like. There will always be people who don’t agree with you, people who think and do things differently. If you always fight for your perfect world with insults, threats, whines, accuses and demands, you will spend most of your life fighting battles lah… That’s pretty stressful and a sure way to get facial palsy.
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Nov 13, 2011 @ 20:02:50
Thanks for your advise Sally.
I do appreciate that..
I am prepared to talk till I drop dead …..because Doc said..”talk till you drop dead” ..long long ago.
Good advises I always take and be grateful.
yea…I will talk till I drop dead OR after 13th GE…relax…take it easy…not now.
Thanks again.
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Nov 13, 2011 @ 20:10:12
I never ask anyone to agree with me and I will debate FOR or AGAINST…not to Agree to Disagree.
This is not my personal matters.
This is about country and people.
I think…I am in the majority group that we agree with no problem…in so many blogs.
And in real life…walking with the BERSIH walkers….we ALL agree……..to even die for the country.
That’s a meaningful life I will not trade for the comfort to be a selfish man…or an opportunist be be rich…as a tool to any political party.
I am truly free….are you….Sally?
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Nov 13, 2011 @ 20:19:09
I am not fighting for a perfect world.
I am fighting to get rid of UMNO b governing our lives and our country..treating Malaysians as suckers.
Last time no choice…no good alternatives…except DAP and PAS..
But Anwar has joined in and pulled away thousand Muslim from UMNO b.. to his party.
Group together…we do really have a strong good alternative and People Power responded at 12th GE.
13th GE..we will finish the job..
That is why..Najib is afraid to announce the date for 13th GE.
He has too many secrets to hide.
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Nov 14, 2011 @ 11:39:32
This is a piece of news you wont read in the newspaper. I was told that Miti went to Thailand after the flood, to sign up companies affected to move to Malaysia. There were no takers. Companies planning to move out of Thailand turned down Malaysia and chose either Philippines or Indonesia.
This is one good indication Malaysia is loosing its edge.
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