Dirty Laundry

I have very high regards for Johor Baru incumbent, Shahrir Samad. When he was dropped from the cabinet line up, Anwar Ibrahim who was then the Deputy Prime Minister said, "look what happened to him (Shahrir) now. He has to wash people's clothes." I think, this was after the shakeup in Umno in 1987.

I can never forget Anwar's words. So rude and arrogant. I don't like him at all. I'm glad that Anwar, too is out of the cabinet.

But at least, Shahrir has a lot of dignity. He left the cabinet and started a laundry business. And he was hands on. He wasn't a chairman of a public listed company like other pensioned government officers or retired ministers who are usually guaranteed of such post upon retirement.

Shahrir didn't have a laundry chain like 5 a sac. He operated his Dynawash from a small space in the old wing of Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC). He also had another outlet along Jalan Damansara, in the same block as Victoria Station. I can't remember which one was opened first.

Anyway, his staff misplaced my clothes which were sent for dry cleaning one day. It took them days to locate my clothes. When they finally found them, it was Shahrir who called me to say that he's sending the clothes over to my house. He took down my address and we agreed on a delivery date.

What a surprise I had. It was really Shahrir himself. He's a former minister. I felt so flattered and honoured.

Dynawash is now a history. Shahrir sold off the laundry shop invest in another business. But still, the only chairmanship I know of held by Shahrir is the Public Audit Committee (PAC).

I'm telling you this story because it is difficult to find a humble man like Shahrir. If only other ministers can be as down to earth like Shahrir. Malaysia will be a better place.

Samy Vellu Is A Bumiputra

As expected, Samy Vellu will be defending his seat in this year's election although the Indian community wants him out. Umno still needs him. That's why, this man is always smiling.

Years ago, during Dr. M's era, Samy Vellu said, "Dr. Mahathir berkata bahawa saya lebih bumiputra dari bumiputra sendiri kerana saya telah memberi banyak kontrak kepada bumiputra daripadaa bumiputra sendiri."

Yeah, he said that long time ago. Can't remember the year but it was when he just had his hair implant.

So folks, don't ask him to resign if there's another JKR project which goes wrong. Pressure his boss to quit. He only takes directive from his boss, the Umno man.

Remember the Kepong bridge snafu? There were pressures for him to quit. But Samy Vellu kept his usual cool. "Saya sudah ada laporan di tangan saya," said Samy Vellu while holding up the report on the investigation of the cracked bridge.

The report was never made public. Why? Because it contains the names of contractors, consultants who are Umno cronies.

The same thing with the Matrade building in Jalan Duta. And many other projects, especially building of schools. All were given to cronies with no experience or enough working capital to execute the projects.

Now you know why Samy Vellu has not done anything for the Indians.

P.S: Why lah DAP put an Indian candidate against Samy Vellu? The majority there is Chinese, followed by Malay and then only Indian.

The Night Before Nomination Day

If Pak Lah had problems eliminating some dodgy figures in his cabinet, this is clearly the time he should drop them, if he wants to keep his promise four years ago to have a clean government.

Here's one of the conversations I wish had taken place between Pak Lah and whom ever he wants to drop. This one is with Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor that never happened.

Pak Lah: Ku Nan, I've been covering for you for far too long man.

Ku Nan: Thank you so much, Pak Lah. I don't know what I'd do without you. So, what's up? You think I still stand a chance this time?

Pak Lah: That's why I'm calling you. You know, this Lingam's case.....doesn't look good on you lah Ku.

Ku Nan: Sorry lah, Pak Lah. I didn't expect it to happen.

Pak Lah: I have been heavily criticised on so many things. There were just too many rumours about you. How am I going keep a clean government like this.

Ku Nan: Yeah, I know. So how now?

Pak Lah: I have a proposition for you. This is for your own sake ok. Please don't get me wrong. This election, you don't have to bertandinglah ya. Take a break.

Ku Nan: Hmmm....Take a break?

Pak Lah: Well....yeah. Take a break from bertandinglah. But you're still an Umno member and can still contribute what.

Ku Nan: Okaylah Pak Lah. If Soi Lek is gentleman enough to admit his mistakes, I think I should be man enough to quit with all these cases and rumours to save the Government. Besides, Soi Lek sent a strong message during his resignation. Clean government means clean moral, clean from bribery etc.

Pak Lah: I wish I had more men with guts like Soi Lek. We're all human. We all make mistakes. But we should not repeat the mistakes. So, deal. Although you tak bertanding, come and support us lah ya.

Ku Nan: Okay. Good luck. I'm going to miss being a YB.

But this conversation only happened in my dream.

General Election 2008 - Status Quo?

The General Election has been scheduled for 8 March. It looks like a status quo.

I'm very disappointed with DAP. I thought they'd move Lim Kit Siang to Penang to poke BN a bit harder there. Even Jagdeep Singh Deo Karpal Singh who was initially slotted to stand in Johor has been moved to Penang for a State seat. With Lim Guan Eng in a State (and Parliament) seat there, DAP had the potential to create a government there should Kit Siang contest and win in Penang to add to the number.

What is new in BN? Nothing, really. Do they respond to the rakyat's wish for change? Looks like they don't care. It looks like the same old line up with some small movement here and there.