The CIA says ...

The all influential and powerful Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America, in its 2011 World Fact Book has categorised 'Bar Council BERSIH' under its 'Political pressure groups and leaders' section. 

The name 'Bar Council BERSIH' has by itself opened up damning questions about the conduct and actual status of the Malaysian Bar Council. The CIA guys are basically saying that Bar Council = Bersih and Bersih = Bar Council. 

Maybe the term AGO coined by Independent MP Zahrain Hashim  fits the Bar Council better with this CIA endorsement. AGO, Zahrain says are Anti-Government Organisations.

While "Bar Council BERSIH" and PEMBELA are categorised as mentioned above (according to CIA's FACTS about Malaysia) the same fact book also reveals telling FACTS about Singapore. (pic below)

                                     

According to the FACTS presented by the CIA, there are no "Political pressure groups and leaders' in Singapore. 


The CIA didn't say it out aloud but most probably Singapore's leaders under the above category could either be rotting in jail or have escaped abroad (or crossed the causeway) where political dissent is permitted... and where there is no ISA (Internal Security Act).

"Ong’s explanation was that the three – his deputy Ariel Tan and first secretaries Regina Low and Philomena Aw – went in their personal capacities and were not on any official assignment.

After Ong was summoned to Wisma Putra on Friday, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying its officers attended the rally as “part of their normal professional diplomatic duties.

“They were observers. These are legitimate duties of diplomats to observe political developments in their countries of posting.”

A diplomatic observer noted: “Only uneducated Malaysians will swallow what Ong said.”

Somehow, the MFA’s statement seemed to contradict Ong’s remarks. It may be the Singapore way of explaining things, just to get the other side confused." - The Star 

Frankly, there is no need for the Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Ong Keng Yong to confuse himself with the controversy surrounding claims that three "diplomats' under his charge had participated in AGO activities in Kuala Lumpur.


Malaysians should understand that there are no AGOs in Singapore. The likes of Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Ambiga and Tian Chua would end up and rot in jail (without trial under Singapore's ISA). 


The three 'diplomats' or 'agents' as some friends described, could have just been curious about things which they don't get to see back at home. At the same time, they could as well been planning for future eventualities in the iron-fisted island republic.

What happens if Singaporeans learn a thing or two from the rowdy Bersih rascals who attacked policemen and damaged public property? 


Singapore has to be prepared... for Singaporeans couldn't possibly be kept isolated from the rest of the world, let alone from the more democratic Federation of Malaysia.

Singapore should seriously keep their eyes wide open for anti-ISA movements ... not in Kuala Lumpur but back home where the sentiments are said to be simmering at a dangerous level. 

p/s Dont blame the Singaporean 'diplomats', they could have been enjoying the freedom to be part of an AGO, although it was against another Government. :-) 

Panda Diplomacy

Panda Diplomacy is China's use of Giant Pandas as diplomatic gifts to other countries. The practice existed as far back as the Tang Dynasty, when Empress Wu Zetian (625–705) sent a pair of pandas to the Japanese emperor.^[1

The People's Republic of China revived panda diplomacy in the 1950s and has become known in recent decades for this practice. From 1958 to 1982, China gave 23 pandas to nine different countries.^[1] One highlight of panda diplomacy was the Chinese government's gift of two pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, to the United States in 1972 after President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China^[2] (President Nixon reciprocated by sending back a pair of musk oxen). 

Upon the pandas' arrival in April 1972, First Lady Pat Nixon donated the pandas to the National Zoo in Washington D.C., where she welcomed them in an official ceremony. Over twenty thousand people visited the pandas the first day they were on display, and an estimated 1.1 million visitors came to see them the first year they were in the United States.^[1] 

The pandas were wildly popular and China's gift was seen as an enormous diplomatic success, evidence of China's eagerness to establish official relations with the U.S.^[2] It was so successful that British Prime Minister Edward Heath asked for pandas for the United Kingdom during a visit to China in 1974. Chia-Chia and Ching-Ching therefore arrived at the London Zoo a few weeks later.^[1]

By 1984, however, pandas were no longer used purely as agents of diplomacy. Instead, China began to offer pandas to other nations only on ten-year loans. The standard loan terms include a fee of up to US$1,000,000 per year and a provision that any cubs born during the loan be the property of the People's Republic of China. Since 1998, because of a World Wildlife Fund lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows a U.S. zoo to import a panda only if the zoo can ensure that China will channel more than half of its loan fee into conservation efforts for wild pandas and their habitat.

Pandas have become important diplomatic symbols, not only to China. In a visit by Hu Jintao to Japan in May 2008, China announced the loan of two Pandas to Japan. The President was quoted as saying "Giant pandas are very popular among the Japanese, and they are a symbol of the friendly ties between Japan and China."^[3] 

Actions that other countries take with pandas are often seen as laden with meaning. For example, British diplomats worried that a 1964 transfer of a panda from a London zoo to Moscow would worsen Sino-Soviet relations.^[4] 

In January 2006, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick was photographed hugging a 5-month-old panda cub during his visit to Sichuan Province. The image was widely broadcast by the Chinese media and was purportedly interpreted as a sign that Zoellick supported better relations between China and the United States.^[5]

In 2005, Lien Chan, chairman of the Kuomintang, the then-opposition party in Taiwan, visited mainland China. As part of the talks between Lien Chan and the Communist Party of China (CPC), two pandas (later named Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan) were offered as a gift to the people of Taiwan.

While the idea was popular with the Taiwanese public, it proved difficult with the Republic of China (ROC) government of Taiwan, then led by theDemocratic Progressive Party (DPP). The DPP supports Taiwanese independence and opposes unification with the People's Republic of China, and saw the gift of pandas as an attempt by the CPC to draw the ROC government into its "united front". 

While several zoos in Taiwan made bids to host the pandas, the ROC government raised objections, ostensibly on the grounds that pandas were not suited to the Taiwanese climate and that Taiwan did not have the expertise to rear pandas successfully. It was widely understood, however, that these were underlain by political considerations by the DPP-led government to maintain its distance from the PRC government - WIKIPEDIA

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian government today signed an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), People's Republic of China (PRC) which will pave the way for the loan of a pair of giant pandas to Malaysia.

The agreement was signed by Peninsular Malaysia's Director-General of the Wild Life Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), Datuk Abd Rasid Samsudin and the Secretary-General of CWCA Zang Chunlin this afternoon.

The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and a Member of the Permanent Committee of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) Central Political Bureau Committee, He Guaqiang.

The two giant pandas to be loaned to Malaysia for a period of 10 years represented a symbol of the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations to be celebrated in 2014.

Based on the experiences of neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Singapore, Malaysia will receive the pair of pandas within one year from the date of signing of the agreement. - NST

Despite the world recognized Chinese 'Panda Diplomacy' tradition which dates back to the Tang Dynasty our learned Opposition MP from the Democratic ACTION Party YB Chong Eng (yes, she is a Chinese) appears oblivious to the significance of this Eastern diplomatic gesture. 


Chong Eng passed snide remarks against the Malaysia-China 'Panda Diplomacy' in the Malaysian Parliament on Wednesday (during a debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill), questioning the rationale for PM Najib to agree to nurture the Chinese Pandas in Malaysia. Similar sinister remarks were also heard from another Chinese Opposition lawmaker from PKR YB Tian Chua.

Their argument that the funds allocated for the upkeep of the Pandas could be put to better use appears nothing more than mere populist statements but the underlying message appears strange. 


Basically the CHINESE Opposition lawmakers (those from DAP and PKR) appear to be hell bent on preventing better relations between China and Malaysia. 


But why would any Malaysian (particularly those of Chinese origin) be so eager to scuttle or sabotage attempts by both Kuala Lumpur and Beijing to warm diplomatic relations which has been cemented since 1974? 


While both nations are looking forward towards celebrating the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2014, the Opposition lawmakers antics in the Malaysian Parliament is rather suspicious.


Certainly its not just about the two pandas from the People's Republic of China. It appears as though the Opposition are trying hard to please their foreign masters who most probably fear China's growing influence in our region. 


But then again, could we blame the desperate lot who would want their supporters to believe that the Sun would rise from the West after our next General Election, the 13th since we gained Independence from the British in 1957. 


God Bless Malaysia... and the People's Republic of China's 'Panda Diplomacy'.

Sunny side of SUARAM

By Azreen HaniThursday, June 14, 2012

• 

KUALA LUMPUR: Suaram director Cynthia Gabriel has denied allegations that the human rights group is closely linked to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Cynthia told The Mole PKR leaders such as Tian Chua and Elizabeth Wong had left the group after they were elected as law makers and that they were no longer involved in Suaram.

“I have always maintained that Suaram is not a political party. There were no politicians on Suaram’s board of directors and we don’t have any ties with PKR, DAP or any other political parties", she claimed.

Cynthia admitted that she was appointed as a councillor of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) by PKR-led Selangor government but insisted the position was given due to the council’s allocation to non-governmental organisation.

“It is a practise by Selangor government to encourage representation of civil society group in the council. It’s nothing political,” she explained. - The Mole

pic above from Friends of Pakatan Rakyat in London.

Cynthia Gabriel, Director of Suaram, is municipal councillor in the Petaling Jaya City Council, appointed by the Pakatan government of Selangor.

Tian Chua is the PKR Member of Parliament for Batu – and of course, PKR's Vice President. 

Irene Fernandez is a PKR Supreme Council Member. 

Elizabeth Wong is a former Coordinator of Suaram, apparently still involved in its governance, and is now a PKR state assembly member in Selangor. 

Dr Kua Kia Soong is a former DAP Member of Parliament. 

Sivarasa Rasiah is a PKR Member of Parliament for Subang, Petaling. 

Dr Syed Husin Ali is the former Deputy President of PKR.

The links continue outside of Pakatan member parties. S Arutchelvan is the Secretary-General of Parti Sosialis Malaysia, a PKR ally; Dr Nasim Hashim is its President. Premesh Chandran works for malaysiakini.com (CEO), and with Tian Chua and Elizabeth Wong was a member of the Network of Overseas Student Collective of Australia. - The Choice

Burning QUESTIONS for Suaram & PKR

Pakatan Rakyat faces an uphill climb to victory at GE13. With an unforgiving electoral future, it has tried street demonstrations through hijacking the Bersih movement and, starting two years ago, through foreign courts, to bring the Government down.

Suaram, a nominally independent NGO, petitioned the French courts to investigate the Scorpene submarine deal two years ago, an investigation now picking up steam in the time-honoured French manner of suddenly-ending procrastination.

The Scorpene deal has been the locus for much of Pakatan's more bizarre conspiracy theorising, ranging from allegations of bribes directed to Datuk Seri Najib Razak during his time as Defence Minister to a nebulous, never-explained connection to the murder of Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa, the Mongolian model whose murderers were sentenced to death three years ago.From the increase in the court's activities, together with allegations of never-released 'proof' of wrongdoing by Najib,

Suaram has launched a series of press conferences and events, including a suspiciously political RM10,000 table dinner scheduled for later this month, to promote its agenda and publicise the French court's activities.

Most NGOs do not hold multi-thousand ringgit dinners over foreign court cases, let alone ones that will still need another two or more years to develop, and so it might be helpful to understand more about Suaram.

Ordinary attempts to investigate the organisation appear doomed to failure. The NGO's web site goes to great pains to tell an ordinary reader or viewer nothing about its membership, especially its leadership.The Choice has worked to develop a listing of key personnel.

By no means is this complete; nevertheless, here is a sample:

Cynthia Gabriel, Director of Suaram, is municipal councillor in the Petaling Jaya City Council, appointed by the Pakatan government of Selangor.

Tian Chua is the PKR Member of Parliament for Batu – and of course, PKR's Vice President. 


Irene Fernandez is a PKR Supreme Council Member.

Elizabeth Wong is a former Coordinator of Suaram, apparently still involved in its governance, and is now a PKR state assembly member in Selangor.

Dr Kua Kia Soong is a former DAP Member of Parliament.

Sivarasa Rasiah is a PKR Member of Parliament for Subang, Petaling.

Dr Syed Husin Ali is the former Deputy President of PKR.

The links continue outside of Pakatan member parties. S Arutchelvan is the Secretary-General of Parti Sosialis Malaysia, a PKR ally; Dr Nasim Hashim is its President. 


Premesh Chandran works for malaysiakini.com, and with Tian Chua and Elizabeth Wong was a member of the Network of Overseas Student Collective of Australia.

This pattern – of stacking nominally independent entities with Pakatan Rakyat personnel while hiding their allegiance to maintain the façade of independence – carries over from the Hindraf rallies in 2007, through the Bersih movement, to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's 'independent election observers' – those such as Nick Xenophon and other

Anwar allies whom Anwar is using to call GE13 a farce – unless, of course, Anwar wins.Anwar Ibrahim is not a stranger to Suaram. He certainly managed to out-fox Ambiga at Bersih 3.0, and transformed a reasonable protest into mayhem.

But Suaram is well known to PKR because so many PKR members are managing Suaram.However, even though Suaram acts like a political party intent on smearing Najib with evidence, it will not even produce this evidence outside of France.

Suaram behaves like a political ally of PKR in everything it does rather than an objective and independent NGO. It is almost wholly made up of Opposition politicians and journalists.

Here are some questions for Suaram:

Why will you not produce copies of the evidence given in the French case that you claim is so very damning?

If as you claim the original evidence cannot be taken out of France, surely copies can be.

What is your complete membership list?

How many Pakatan Rakyat politicians, leaders, and party members occupy your leadership? Why does your web site refuse to disclose this information?

Have you informed the French court of your heavy Pakatan membership? The French court has stated that it will be 2-3 years before its investigation is complete.

Why are you holding press conferences and events on the matter now? How is this tied to GE13 and Pakatan's efforts?

Your RM10,000 dinner, scheduled for 15 June, is entitled, "Scorpene 2.0." Are you trying to evoke Bersih?

Why are you having a RM10,000 dinner over a case that will not be at issue for at least two years? Is this a pre-GE 13 stunt of sorts to attract publicity?

To what extent are you using malaysiakini.com as a dedicated outlet for your activities, and do you disclose your ties with the site to its readers in every article on this case?

How often do you report on your activities to PKR leadership – other than Tian Chua of course, who is not only one of your leaders, but Vice President of PKR?

These are simple questions that any independent organisation would answer without hesitation.Count on Suaram refusing.

And that is because the similarities between Suaram and PKR are so striking that one could almost say that Suaram = PKR = Suaram


- from a reader of APANAMA.

Bersih 3.0 - Facts & Fiction - PART 1

Now... just THINK for yourself coz even God can't possibly help you if you can't THINK straight with an open heart and mind! 


Below is PR political party DAP's version with a heavy dose of politics.

I THINK parents who brought their kids (some toddlers) to Bersih street demonstrations should be hauled up and charged in court under the existing Child Protection Act...WHAT do you THINK?  


p/s .... I'm sure Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and other 'mothers'  would speak up for those innocent children who were dragged on to the streets of Kuala Lumpur and victimized by their own parents/guardians. 

With HOPE from Brunei

"Harvey Mckay once stated in his book “Swim with the sharks” that Politicians are the best businessmen. At the time of reading I did not manage to understand the concept. It was up until yesterday did I finally understood it after when my personal tweets were replied by Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, the Malaysian prime Minister himself.

Dato’ Mohd Najib Razak’s tweet was brief but his gesture has created an impression on me. It’s profound to say the least because a man in his position is hard to contact by. But his position is clear as a leader of the “Rakyat”.

It started long before the incident happened when I was making some research about him via youtube. From here I watched some biased media at work, throwing some stones, sticks and flames without remorse. It was pretty ugly. What everybody was commenting, everyone followed. In my mind they are still just that, biased media. But as I delve deeper in finding more about him, I stumbled across his YouTube channel entitled “NajibRazak”. In his channel there was a video segment where he would answer the questions posed to him via social networks such as Facebook, Twitter etc. He would then answer them personally. From complex questions such as the Multi-Million Ringgit National youth funds, to district developments, from book recommendations to career advise, from Batman(Yes Batman) to Kueh Tiaw, he answered them."- from BRUNEI.

This youth from Brunei has certainly taken some interest in Prime Minister Najib Razak after a first hand experience via micro-blogging site Twitter. 


Obviously he appreciates the Prime Minister's openness in engaging the rakyat, particularly the younger generation. 

The AMO Times

The Voice of the Bruneian Youths

The AMO Times is a Bruneian English-Language online bulletin headquartered in the United Kingdom. Published weekly, it features articles on Brunei’s youth societal accomplishments, music and videoreleases and a dose of local history. The AMO Times also reports on viral news happening around the globe.

Since its inception in the November 2011, it has so far achieved an outstanding total of 130,000 hits making it the market leader for the Bruneian youth media website sector. With 6 contributing student members, it is set to gain 1st hand information for the latest happenings across Brunei’s main schoolcentres.

The bulletin is relatively known for its coverage on Brunei UK Student, Maktab Sains Flash Mob Viral Video and The top 10 Strange News for Brunei Darussalam . The Motto of The AMO Times is “The #1 Youth. News. Entertainment.”