A pompous Merdeka Celebration

 

For all the money and time spent…the pomposity of it all…with the ISA, OSA, corruption and excessive spending mindset of the status quo…it is a sham Merdeka…

The rakyat is struggling to keep pace with inflation, educating their children, getting a good car and house and everything else and in between…now and the future… BN continues with its pomposity…

Merdeka yang palsu…bila rakyat terpaksa bertungkus-lumus bekerja siang malam dan tidak cukup menyara kehidupan seharian mereka, membayar kos pendidikan, kesihatan diri, keluarga dan anak-anak mereka serta mendapat kemudahan baik… pengangkutan dan perumahan…

Alangkah suatu pembaziran yang nyata…saban tahun berpesta di hari kemerdekaan…dengan belanja yang banyak yang boleh dialirkan kepada kerja-kerja kebajikan yang lebih bermanafaat…

tetapi…begitulah pendidikan BN yang dangkal lagi mendangkalkan pemikiran orang lain, khususnya orang-orang Melayu…supaya leka dan suka kepada keseronokan dan pesta…ramai di kalangan mereka ke padang-padang di ambang merdeka didapati ke sana hanya untuk melihat artis pujaan mereka..

jauhnya sasaran BN, yang diketuai Umno, dalam membentuk rakyat yang berpemikiran global dan menjiwai erti Kemerdekaan sebenar…jauh lagi untuk membina rakyat yang globally competent…

Cukuplah setakat ini BN memerintah sewenang-wenangnya, berilah peluang dan undi anda kepada Barisan pembangkang yang diketuai oleh Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim…suara pembangkang kali ini, dalam pilihanraya umum ke-12, mesti lantang di Parlimen dan Dewan Undangan Negeri agar kita nanti menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan dengan penuh rasa keinsafan dan tanggungjawab serta tanpa pembaziran, dan bukan pula dengan semata-mata keseronokan, perbarisan dan pesta! Selesai 31 Ogos, selesailah sambutan Kemerdekaan, segala keburukan-keburukan sosial, ekonomi, keselamatan rakyat, kepincangan sistem kesihatan untuk rakyat dan rasuah akan terus berlaku seperti biasa – begitulah pendidikan Umno-BN.

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Nation celebrates 50th birthday

Aug 30, 07 2:57am Adjust font size:

Fighter jets roared above Kuala Lumpur and foreign dignitaries trickled in as Malaysia put on its party hat today for two days of celebrations marking 50 years of independence from Britain. Officials have arranged extravagant light shows and patriotic parties and the national flag will be raised at midnight, while a major set-piece parade tomorrow will include the jets currently perfecting their formations. But the breathless build-up to the anniversary comes as the multicultural nation questions its identity amid debate over what it means to be Malaysian, and how much culture and religion count. The ruling party has tried to paint a picture of a nation united by patriotism, but has struggled to paper over the simmering religious and racial tensions that have been building up over the year. “On the 50th birthday of our country, I hope all Malaysians recognise what has been agreed in the federal constitution,” Ambiga Sreenevasan, president of the Malaysian Bar Council, told a conference today. “We are a secular nation, and all Malaysians must accept this, and do not attempt to make the constitution into a racial issue.” Islam is the official religion here, but about 40 percent of Malaysians belong to other faiths including Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. Although religious freedom is enshrined in the constitution, a series of court challenges and political statements have raised fears that minority groups are being pushed aside by creeping Islamic conservatism. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi earlier this week accused critics of wrongly painting a bleak picture of a disunited Malaysia. His deputy Najib Razak has followed suit, with newspapers widely carrying his comments that it would be a “disservice to the spirit of our nation and founding fathers if we keep harping on what would keep us apart.” But for many people, resolving cross-cultural tensions – much of which can be traced back to positive discrimination policies introduced in 1971 to raise the status of Muslim Malays – is the key to further development here. “As we go into 50 years of independence, my wish is that all Malaysians treat each other as equals,” said Chandra Muzaffar, president of the advocacy group International Movement for a Just World. Laser shows Many Malaysians, however, said they want to see an end to the self-analysis for a few days and just enjoy themselves. “Of course there are some racial problems, but it is not that serious,” said Simon Phuak, a 37-year-old hotelier. “So like it or not, we have to celebrate, because it is our 50th birthday.” On Thursday evening, Kuala Lumpur will be lit up with laser shows projecting scenes from the last 50 years onto the capital’s sky-hugging modern buildings. At midnight, the Malaysian flag will be hoisted above Merdeka Square in a re-enactment of the scenes from 1957. Celebrations continue tomorrow, with dignitaries including Britain’s Prince Andrew and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei joining thousands of Malaysians for a daytime parade and night-time party in Merdeka Stadium. Prime ministers from Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are arriving in Kuala Lumpur throughout Thursday, and can look forward to much patriotic singing and spirited dancing from nearly 50,000 performers. “I urge all Malaysians to come and witness the historic event,” said Norliza Rosli of the Department of National Arts and Culture. “Let’s be part of the celebrations.” - AFP

Islam Hadhari yang mempermainkan orang-orang Melayu Islam

Dear orang-orang Melayu, janganlah termakan dengan kekosongan minda dan kemelesetan kesungguhan yang menghampiri kebohongan ini hanya untuk meraih undi Melayu kerana orang lain sudah hilang kepercayaan kepada Umno & BN. Seperti biasa, hanya kata-kata yang tidak dibuktikan dengan rangka yang konkrit, jauh sekali untuk memberi perincian kepada apa yang dikatakan. Inilah kebejatan (maaf, beritahu saya perkataan yang lebih baik) ahli-ahli politik yang memalukan agama dan bangsa. Bercakap dan mengeluarkan perkataan hanya untuk mengekalkan kuasa mereka kerana keperluan pilihanraya. Umno sudah tahu bahawa mereka tidak dapat mengharapkan lagi undi-undi bukan Melayu. Kajian oleh badan bebas membuktikan itu sebagai kenyataan. Dengan itu, mereka (Umno) akan terus berkata apa-apa yang akan menyedapkan telinga orang Melayu. Sampailah sudah masanya orang-orang Melayu celik yang luas, seluas-luasnya pada permainan yang mempermain-mainkan orang Melayu ini. Henti menyokong Umno dan BN, orang-orang Melayu! —————————————————————————————————————————————————————- PM: Yes, we ARE an Islamic state

Yoges Palaniappan Aug 27, 07 7:35pm

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has today for the first time said that Malaysia was an Islamic state and not a secular state. Abdullah, in a parliamentary written reply, said that Malaysia was an Islamic state ruled by Islamic principles, and at the same time, was also a country that believed in Federal Constitution. “Malaysia is an Islamic state, ruled based on Islam Hadhari which I have introduced,” he stressed. This is a clear departure from his stand made earlier this month that Malaysia was neither ‘a secular nor a theocratic state’ without saying the country was an Islamic state. Abdullah said this in response to Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang who asked if the cabinet would reaffirm the Merdeka social contract and Malaysia Agreement that Malaysia was a secular state with Islam as the official religion. “Islamic principles that I mean can be seen from Islam Hadhari that I have introduced. Under Islam Hadhari, the government stresses development based on knowledge and physical building, as well as the building of human capital,” said the prime minister. “Islam Hadhari is a guideline for the government to be fair and equitable to all communities in the country,” he said, adding that however Islam Hadhari does not imply that Malaysia was a theocratic state. Abdullah, who explained that the uniqueness of Islam Hadhari formula has been proven in its success, said: “I would like to refute allegations that my way of ruling the country is against the social contract signed before the Independence.” The prime minister also stressed that the government allowed voices of all communities to be heard. However, he said the government would not hesitate to take action against those who abuse the freedom. “We have to take into account the country’s stability and ethnic diversity. Any statement that could threaten the stability will be punished.” Contradictory remarks Abdullah also said that the debate on whether or not Malaysia was an Islamic state has been dragged for a long period by opposition parties for their own political interest. “As the country’s 50th Independence celebration is just around the corner, we can see the opposition party questioning the status of our country and Merdeka social contract.” This latest remark by the premier is clearly contradictory to his previous stand that Malaysia was neither a secular nor a theocratic state. His response then had come just after his deputy Najib Abdul Razak had upset minorities here by describing the country as Islamic. Abdullah had said then that the country can be best described as a multiracial nation that practices parliamentary democracy with freedom of religion for all. “We are not a secular state. We are also not a theocratic state like Iran and Pakistan … but we are a government that is based on parliamentary democracy,” he was quoted as saying in Penang on Aug 5. At that time, he did not specifically said that Malaysia was an Islamic state.

Well, asking nicely for the women to shut up…

and Sharizat was singled out…

he wasn’t serious when he said he promised to empower women…yeah, he lied in his 2004 election promise about empowering women…

Women will certainly never be empowered under the BN rule.

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Wanita bina modal insan — Peranan kaum Hawa penting membentuk anak-anak hingga berjaya – PM

Oleh: RAJA LUVENA SHARIFUDDIN

KUALA LUMPUR 25 Ogos – Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, golongan wanita mempunyai peranan penting dalam pembangunan modal insan yang diperjuangkan pentadbirannya.

Menurut Perdana Menteri, pembentukan modal insan itu adalah dalam bentuk pendidikan dan bimbingan kepada anak-anak mereka agar memiliki budi pekerti, kekuatan, kerajinan dan disiplin untuk berjaya dalam apa jua bidang kelak.

Beliau berkata, dengan cara itu negara dapat mempertahankan kedudukan dalam menghadapi persaingan, cabaran dan permasalahan masa depan.

Berucap merasmikan Majlis Sambutan Hari Wanita 2007 di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil di sini hari ini Abdullah turut terkenang jasa arwah ibunya, Datuk Kailan Hassan yang katanya, telah menjaga dan menasihatinya dari kecil sehinggalah beliau berjaya menjadi Perdana Menteri.

‘‘Jasa ibu amatlah besar. Kalau ibu tidak menjaga saya semasa bapa, Ahmad Badawi sibuk dengan parti politik, entah apa akan jadi kepada saya.

“Besar peranan ibu dalam kehidupan seseorang. Tanpa wanita, pembangunan modal insan tidak akan berjaya walaupun (anak-anak) diberi ilmu pengetahuan,’’ katanya.

Abdullah menjelaskan, setakat ini semua wanita yang telah diberikan jawatan penting dalam sektor utama negara tidak pernah mengecewakannya.

Beliau menamakan Gabenor Bank Negara, Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, yang diiktiraf sebagai terbaik bukan sahaja di rantau ASEAN tetapi juga dunia.

Menurutnya, Zeti layak mentadbir Bank Negara bukan kerana jantina tetapi kebolehannya yang menyerlah.

Begitu juga dengan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Sekuriti, Datuk Zarinah Anwar yang telah pun menunjukkan tanda-tanda akan melakukan tanggungjawabnya dengan baik, katanya.

“Jika mahu yang terbaik bagi mewujudkan negara yang ada kemampuan dan kebolehan, perlu pilih yang terbaik walaupun wanita,’’ katanya.

Dalam arena politik pula, Perdana Menteri percaya lebih ramai wanita akan terlibat dalam masa terdekat ini.

Katanya, Shahrizat tidak perlu membuat tuntutan bagi hak-hak wanita kerana jika bersabar, ia akan berlaku jua.

‘‘Tak perlu ada peratusan (penglibatan wanita), itu (peningkatan penglibatan mereka) tetap akan berlaku,’’ tegasnya.

Abdullah menambah, selagi beliau menjadi Perdana Menteri, wanita tidak akan didiskriminasi.

‘‘Saya sebagai pemimpin ingin mengatakan, wanita yang berkemampuan dan berkebolehan akan diberi tempat untuk menyumbang kepada pembangunan negara,’’ jelasnya.

Hadir sama pada majlis itu ialah isterinya, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah; Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil serta kira-kira 20,000 wanita dari sektor awam, swasta dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO).

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2007&dt=0826&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm

Minister: Study proposal on switch to Syariah law thoroughly

What’s this?   The ease with which some people(supposedly very clever) pop up issues that affect the hearts of the nation…is simply unbelievable… What? another election gimmick?

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Friday August 24, 2007

Minister: Study proposal on switch to Syariah law thoroughly

PUTRAJAYA: The proposal to use Syariah law to replace English common law in court proceedings should be studied thoroughly first, said Datuk Dr Abdullah Zin.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the move, if approved, should be done in stages.

Lauding the proposal by Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, he said Syariah law gave importance to justice.

It would also be a further development for Syariah law in the country in addition to introducing a uniform syariah law in all states, Dr Abdullah sai d yesterday.

“We are already in the process of getting a uniform syariah law in all 14 states including the Federal Territory relating to family, administration and criminal law.

“If there are more proposals for the development of Syariah law, they are most welcome but it should be done in stages,” he told reporters after opening the seminar on

counselling for Muslim terminally ill patients here.

Ahmad Fairuz had said that there was no need to use English common law after 50 years of independence, suggesting another procedure as a substitute.

He said Sections 3 and 5 of the Civil Law Act permitted judges wide discretion to import English common law, equity and statutes

into the legal system to fill gaps in Malaysian laws.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail also responded positively to Ahmad Fairuz’s proposal.

On the seminar, Dr Abdullah said the Islamic way of treating terminally ill patients was not to tell them how many “months they had left to live”.

“The Islamic way is to give them hope and the will to continue to survive and let them depend on their own physical strength to keep them alive,” he said.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/24/nation/18681665&sec=nation

50 years and still stupid?Guess who are hopelessly stupid…

And guess who these Malays are…

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Ekspres ‘ali baba’ — 50% permit bas, lori milik Melayu dijual kepada bukan bumiputera

Oleh: SUFFIAN ABU BAKAR

MUAR 23 Ogos – Jumlah nahas membabitkan bas ekspres dan kenderaan perdagangan meningkat kebelakangan ini dipercayai berpunca daripada perbuatan segelintir pengendali syarikat pengangkutan itu yang memperoleh permit secara ‘ali baba’.

Presiden Persatuan Ampunya Lori Pan-Malaysia, Er Sui See ketika mendedahkan perkara itu berkata, maklumat yang diterima persatuan itu menunjukkan hampir 50 peratus daripada permit Lembaga Pelesenan Kenderaan Perdagangan (LPKP) di negara ini telah dialibabakan oleh pemilik asal lesen tersebut.

Beliau berkata, gejala itu menyebabkan operasi bas dan kenderaan perdagangan terjejas kerana syarikat-syarikat yang membeli permit itu daripada pemilik asal tidak mementingkan aspek keselamatan dan syarat-syarat lain yang ditetapkan kerajaan.

Menurut beliau, tindakan mengalibabakan permit kenderaan perdagangan itu melibatkan bukan sahaja syarikat pengangkutan lori, malah juga syarikat-syarikat bas ekspres.

‘‘Saya berani menyatakan di sini bahawa hampir 50 peratus permit kenderaan perdagangan sama ada lori dan bas di negara ini telah dialibabakan, iaitu dipohon atas nama orang Melayu, tetapi lesen itu diserahkan kepada pengusaha bukan Melayu.

“Atas sebab itu juga, mereka yang memperoleh lesen secara ali baba tidak mementingkan soal keselamatan kenderaan sehingga mengakibatkan banyak berlaku nahas yang meragut nyawa sejak akhir-akhir ini,” kata Sui See kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas punca kemalangan yang membabitkan bas ekspres dan kenderaan perdagangan yang semakin banyak terjadi sejak kebelakangan ini.

Nahas terburuk berlaku 13 Ogos lalu apabila seramai 22 orang maut setelah sebuah bas ekspres terbabas di Kilometer 229.1, Lebuh Raya Utara-Selatan dekat Bukit Gantang, Perak.

Menurut Sui See, sekiranya permit LPKP hanya diberikan kepada pengendali yang sah, mereka akan memastikan semua syarat diperketatkan termasuk urusan permit laluan, keselamatan kenderaan dan kebajikan para pekerja.

Katanya, isu itu pernah dibangkitkan pada tahun 1999 dengan persatuan-persatuan kenderaan perdagangan mendesak supaya lesen dan permit diberikan kepada pengendali yang sah dan bukannya dialibabakan.

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2007&dt=0824&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm

Really, Parthiban…or is it trying so hard to keep the MIC Ijok seat come the 12th GE

Wonder what the uncovered story for the choice of the future Ijok BN candidate…—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Ijok: 100 days later

Beh Lih Yi Aug 22, 07 1:30pm

It was 11am in the tiny hamlet of Ijok and a stream of people are pouring into the office of their newly elected state representative, bringing with them a barrage of complaints and requests. The setting was like that of a classroom, with K Parthiban seated in the front and his constituents waiting silently and patiently for their names to be called. The scene was reflective of the enormous signboard hanging outside the office of the former schoolteacher-turned-politician, which reads ‘Cikgu K Parthiban’s community service centre.’ When malaysiakini paid a visit recently, his former colleagues were also present in the office, helping out as volunteers before heading off to teach in the nearby schools for the afternoon session. Despite being a political debutant, the 38-year-old bachelor appeared to be well-versed with his work. There was a mother with her 21-year-old daughter seeking financial help. She claimed her daughter could no longer work due to a leg injury. After inspecting the injury, Parthiban said that it was minor and that she could still work. However, he promised to refer the matter to the Welfare Department. “It’s up to them to interview you and decide whether you are eligible for financial assistance,” he added. Following this, two young men asked the state assemblyperson to sponsor about 40 football jerseys for their team. When they asked if Parthiban could also throw in a few footballs in the package, the latter flashed a huge smile and quipped: “The 40 jerseys are enough, you guys still ask for footballs?” Challenging work The Parthiban today is vastly different from the jittery Barisan Nasional candidate who was always two steps behind his mentor MIC president S Samy Vellu during the campaign trail for the Ijok by-election on April 28. Many remember him for his serious response to a light-hearted question from a reporter on the presence of larger number of flies in Ijok. Nevertheless, he emerged victorious in the polls after defeating PKR candidate Khalid Ibrahim with an increased majority of 1,850 votes. The opposition cried foul, alleging electoral irregularities. So after being in office for more than 100 days, what does Parthiban think of his new role and how effectively has he discharged his duty? “I like challenging work like this and having my time occupied. It’s up to others to judge my performance, but I am satisfied with what I have done in this 100 days,” he replied. According to him, his main priority is the youths in the constituency. “I give priority to youths since I am a young man myself. I have organised many sporting events such as futsal and badminton to keep them occupied. I built badminton courts for them,” he said. These are funded through an annual development fund of RM2 million allocated to each state assemblyperson in Selangor, he explained. In addition to that, the government projects worth hundreds of millions pledged during the run-up of the by-election are being carried out in certain places. The road from Pekan Ijok leading to Batang Berjuntai is being expanded while another new road is being constructed near Bukit Badong. Parthiban estimated that about 10 percent of works yet to be completed but is confident that all the election promises will be kept. Face-to-face The locals are also happy with the performance of their new state assembly person. Mary Arumugam (photo, right), a 45-year-old homemaker from Tuan Mee estate and the mother of the girl seeking financial assistance for her leg injury, was pleased with Parthiban. “It’s our first time seeing him and he has said he will arrange (the meeting with the welfare department) for my daughter. I am very happy,” she said. Another local resident met at the office praised Parthiban for his willingness to meet the people. “Whether he can do his work or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that he is willing to talk to poor people. It’s good that we can meet the YB face-to-face,” said Public Works Department (PWD) worker R Savuntharaj, 47. An opposition supporter, who wished to be identified only as Fuziah, acknowledged that the BN candidate has brought development to the town but is not overly impressed by this. “Of course we are happy when new roads are built, but this is taxpayers’ money after all. We saw him attend a funeral once and that’s it,” said the 59-year-old homemaker from Kampung Ijok, the only polling district in which the opposition won. ‘Like my father’ Malaysiakini also bumped into a primary school pupil outside a Tamil school and decided to put Parthiban’s popularity to test. Asked if he knew who Parthiban was, the boy replied: “Yes, he came to build our playground [...] he came in a car and asked us to clean the drain in front of our house.” However, this newfound stardom appears to be affecting the state representative’s love life. Asked if he has found that ‘special person’, Parthiban laughed and replied “No, there is no privacy now, it is even difficult for me to ask any girl out for tea.” The fledgling politician is also the blue-eyed boy of Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and the MIC president. “I can always meet with the menteri besar but this is not so for the others although they are wakil rakyat as well,” he said, beaming with pride. “As for Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, he calls me every week and always asks me how I’m doing. He manja-manja sikit (is a little loving) with me. He always hugs me whenever he sees me and this reminds me very much of my late father,” he added.

The communal bonds of 1957 that were…

I am sorry, PM, but nothing noted here by the NSTOnline assures me of the existence of the spirit of togetherness as a nation.

The spirit you refer to covers those upholding the BN’s spirit of wealth accumulation and power sharing which has nothing to do with the people’s needs and welfare.

 

Look all around us, the facilities and government machinery are primarily in place to satisfy the needs of the BN elite, who needs to “feed” their “ulun” to keep them happy and continue to vote for them.   Dissents are supressed and presistence real opposition will face dire consequences and even imprisoment.

 

All this talk of fairness, fraternal principles, and merdeka is so meaningless and pure sham.   Never entered my heart…

 

Really, BN cannot stand on their own feet when fairness prevails.

 

As a Muslim leader, the PM has failed miserably.

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NST Online

2007/08/20

Abdullah: Regain close communal bonds of 1957

By : Anis Ibrahim

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi receiving a standing ovation from the audience at the MCA annual general assembly yesterday. On the left is Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Malaysians should return to the spirit of 1957, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, when the bonds between the three main communities were at their most potent.

“The British could not do anything but step down when they saw how united and strong the Malays, Chinese and Indians were. We had one goal — to achieve Merdeka,” the prime minister told the MCA general assembly here.

“We have to return to and regain that same spirit of understanding and togetherness for our 50th year of independence.”

Many challenges had been faced since, with more to come, making it essential that the sense of unity and togetherness of the nation’s founding be revived, he said.

“Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V.T. Sambanthan were united because they knew they had to work closely in the best interests of the country.

“This was when ties between the three main races were at their closest,” he said.

Abdullah related the story of a meeting between Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tan and leaders of the Chinese community at the onset of negotiations with the colonial power.

“Tunku had just told Tan he wanted to go to London to discuss the terms of independence with the British when the Chinese leaders present began emptying their pockets.

“They handed over their money, rings and watches to Tunku and told him they wanted to help finance his trip to London.

“That was how united they were and how much they were willing to sacrifice in the name of liberty.”

Speaking to the 1,738 delegates of the 54th annual party assembly at Wisma MCA yesterday, Abdullah stressed that Barisan Nasional’s strength depended on the combined might of the component parties.

“If the component parties are weak, we will lose out in the future. Component parties must be sensitive to and respect each other.”

In standing for their individual causes, community leaders must not practise discrimination, he said.

“Those who discriminate are unworthy of being leaders. True patriots are those who consider the needs and feelings of others without discriminating.”

Abdullah’s speech, which was off-the-cuff, was well received from the audience, which included other BN component party leaders and former MCA leaders.

At the close of his 45-minute speech, Abdullah replied to MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who had spoken earlier on the fraternal principles required for the ruling coalition to endure for the next half century.

“On the issue of power-sharing, I have been fair, I want to be fair and I’ll always be fair.

“BN will stay on not for another 50 years, Ka Ting, but for more than 100 years. We will always stay together,” he said to loud applause.

Abdullah was given a standing ovation as he returned to his seat.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Frontpage/20070820074321/Article/index_html

 

                                                 

The late MGG Pillai had said something some time ago…

that AirAsia is a proxy to …

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Virgin to take 20% stake in AirAsia: report Aug 7, 07 2:39am     British billionaire Richard Branson of Virgin Group is to take a 20 percent stake in Malaysia’s AirAsia long-haul budget carrier to help get it off the ground, a report said Tuesday. AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes declined comment on the report even as the company said it would be making a major announcement on Friday. “I am not saying anything,” Fernandes told AFP. In a separate statement, the company said long-haul operator “AirAsia X will be making a major announcement involving a strategic global investor. We promise you it will be a memorable one.” Star newspaper cited an industry source as saying that “the selling of the 20 percent stake is the first round of funding required by the airline to kick-start operations and partly pay for the 15 aircraft that have been ordered.” Branson, via the Virgin Group, would take a 20 percent stake in Fly Asian Xpress Sdn Bhd (FAX), the long-haul operator. Founders to sell shares to Branson Fernandes, who holds 50 percent of FAX, and his deputy Kamarudin Meranum with 30 percent, are expected to sell some of their shares to Branson, the founder of Virgin Group. FAX has 15 widebody A330-300 airliners on order from Airbus, the European manufacturer. It is scheduled to begin long-haul flights to China and Australia Sept 8, using three leased planes, from the low-cost carrier terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), company executives have said. At its launch in January, the carrier promised budget flights to Britain beginning in July. Fernandes launched AirAsia as a pioneering regional budget carrier in December, 2001, with just two aircraft. It now serves domestic and international routes throughout the region. Fernandes is not the first to try budget long-haul travel and analysts say the model remains to be proven despite its success on short flights. - AFP