Rare picture ....

Lee Kuan Yew wearing a songkok ... that was of course before he was the Prime Minister ...

Anwar the Malaysian Hosni Mubarak

Anwar was reported of saying that many politicians in Malaysia are more or less similar to Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. His former aide on the other hand was saying, that the Malaysian "Hosni Mubarak" is non other than Mr. Anwar himself ... he challanged Anwar to publicly declare his wealth.

Tony Pua's Navy assessment

Recently, Tony Pua has condenmed the Ministry of Defense proposal on upgrading the military assets of the Royal Navy, saying that the cost is 870% higher than what other countries are paying (Malaysiakini). He stated the price that other countries are paying, such as New Zealand and Israel. Looking at his figures without understanding the nature of millitary asset, one would wonder why our government is paying more. Is there "corruption"? However, one should understand that a ship own by any military organizations is unique, even if they are coming from the same class. The USS Jimmy Carter of the US Navy for example is 30 m longer than two of her sisters, the USS Connecticut and USS Seawolf, although they are belonging to the same class and operated by the same organization (wikipedia). Even a car, if you buy them standard, and then you start modifiying the system, replacing the steel rim to alloy, adding two more disk brakes for your rear wheels, having the windows tinted, adding some more stabilizer and replacing your suspensions with a rally type suspension, then the price will definately be different. Merely comparing the price of a ship is half baked, especially when the other countries were paying for a price of more than 10 years ago. Unless one has the exact data on what are installed in that ship, then a valid comparison can be made. I wonder why Tony Pua did not compare the price of Singapore's ships and Singapore's allocation for millitary assets?

further readings:

1. Pisau.net >>

2. isuhot.com >>

3. Military of Malaysia >>
4. Utusan Malaysia >>

List of Byelections after the General Election in 2008

1. 26/8/2008: Permatang Pauh, P. Pinang (Parlimen): BN, PKR: – PKR
2. 20/12/2008: Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu (Parlimen): BN, PAS, Bebas: – PAS
3. 7/4/2009: Bukit Gantang, Perak (Parlimen): BN, PAS: – PAS
4. 7/4/2009: Bukit Selambau, Kedah (DUN): BN,PKR: – PKR
5. 7/4/2009: Batang Ai, Sarawak (DUN): BN vs PKR – BN
6. 31/5/2009: Penanti, P. Pinang (DUN): PKR, Bebas - PKR 
7. 14/7/2009: Manik Urai, Kelantan (DUN): BN, PAS – PAS
8. 25/8/2009: Permatang Pasir, P. Pinang (DUN): BN, PAS – PAS
9. 11/10/2009: Bagan Pinang, N. Sembilan (DUN): BN, PAS – BN
10. 25/4/2010: Hulu Selangor (Parlimen): BN vs PKR – BN
11. 16/5/2010 Sibu (Parlimen): BN vs DAP – DAP
12. 5/11/2010 Galas, Kelantan (DUN): BN vs PAS - BN
13. 5/11/ 2010 Batu Sapi, Sabah (Parlimen): BN, PKR, Yong Teck Lee - BN 
14. 30/1/2011 Tenang, Johor (DUN): BN vs PAS - BN
15. Upcoming, Merlimau, Melaka (DUN): ....

BN was victorious in the latest three byelections. While retaining the seats in Tenang and Batu Sapi, BN had defeated PAS in Galas, Kelantan. DAP has so far contested in only one byelection and they won in Sibu, Sarawak. PAS had lost in all the last three byelections that they participated.

Halal & Haram

Halal means legal or lawful according to Islamic practice. Usually applied in describing the status of food items, the term "halal" is applicable to various things. In marriage, "halal" is used to describe the person that one can marry. In business, "halal" indicates the type of business that a muslim can do.

Haram is the opposite of halal. When something is called haram, no muslims should do it. Muslims should not even associate ourselves with any "haram" activities.

There are situations when the status of "haram" can be lifted. These are the situations that involve life or death. For instance, a muslim is allowed to consume pork if that is the only food source available in order to prevent death from starvation. But of course there is a limit, such that, the amount of consumption is just enough to sustain life.