Guan Eng and his Penang 'traditional' ferry service

The original Penang ferry was a SAMPAN.

Guan Eng said: Penangites can say our final goodbye to the iconic 126-year old Penang ferry service on Thursday 31st December at the Penang Island Ferry Terminal. Let us take our final trip as passengers (not vehicles) in fond nostalgia of this basic mode of transport before the completion of the 1st Penang Bridge, and reiterate that the iconic Penang ferry should be retained in the interests of heritage and history for our children. I will be going at 10am Thursday.

Had the Pakatan Harapan government not being replaced by the unelected Perikatan Nasional government in March 2020, the iconic ferry service would still be continued. Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz had confirmed in Parliament on 17the December 2020, that the Finance Ministry under me had stipulated that the ferry service must be continued as a condition for the government’s RM30 million grant to Penang Port Sdn Bhd to run the ferry service.

Does Guan Eng want that 'original' water transportation to be maintained for Penang Ferry Service?

Or maybe in his hometown of Batu Pahat?

JKR double standards flabbergastingly mucho pronto

Malaysiakini:

After KJ's mishap, rep offers to tumble over damaged roads to expedite repairs

Ketari assemblyperson Young Syefura Othman has apparently offered to tumble over damaged roads in a bid to expedite repairs.

This came after the Public Works Department (JKR) patched up potholes that caused a bicycle accident involving Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin just a day after the incident.

In a series of tweets since this morning, she highlighted roads around Bukit Tinggi as an example of roads that have fallen into disrepair for a prolonged period of time.

Pictures showed damaged drain covers on one road, and a tunnel covered with multiple potholes. One photo even showed vegetation penetrating the drain cover from below.

“JKR’s excuse is that it had asked for allocation (to make repairs) but has yet to receive it. The tree has grown tall and it has been like this for four, five months. Can JKR help me?

“The road in Bukit Tinggi is among those frequented by surrounding residents. Are they waiting for something bad to happen before springing into action?

“If that is the case, I’m willing to tumble over (jatuh tergolek) if immediate action can be taken afterwards,” she said.

Young added that she had tried to pressure JKR to make the repairs through many channels, including through official letters, WhatsApp, and meetings, but to no avail.

Yesterday, Khairy had reportedly suffered minor injuries after hitting a pothole while cycling in Banting and fell into a ditch.

The Kuala Langat JKR apologised for the incident and has since patched up the offending pothole.

However, the episode was greeted with anger and mockery by netizens, many who scorned JKR’s supposed inaction even when potholes have caused fatal accidents and serious injuries.

One Twitter user with the handle @theahmadridhuan urged JKR to apologise to the people as well.

“Because it was KJ, you apologised profusely.

“If that is the case, we need more ministers, MPs and assemblypersons to become victims of bad roads so actions will be taken swiftly to repair them,” he said.

Another netizen said JKR’s apology was unnecessary, as it had never apologised for such accidents before.

“You have just validly proven that it takes a VIP to suffer for the government to take fast, efficient action.

“This apology is not necessary. Why apologise if you’ve never apologised before? Is his life more valuable than ordinary people?” asked Twitter user @SyuhadaShud.

Several netizens have also taken to social media to share personal stories of accidents caused by dilapidated roads involving themselves or their family members.

“My father had an accident after hitting a pothole while riding a motorcycle and had broken three ribs because of that hole. Those idiots still haven’t repair that tarred road.

“This person fell off a bicycle and JKR scrambled to cover the road,” Twitter user @sarahisthatyouu said.

Meanwhile, news portal The Vibes quoted Khairy as saying that road maintenance should be held at a higher standard not just for ministers, but also for ordinary folk.

“Although I appreciate JKR promptly repairing the pothole that caused my crash, I do hope they also respond as quickly to potholes that endanger everyone," he reportedly said.

He was also quoted as saying that he did not only suffered minor injuries in the accident but lost consciousness as well.

The report said the minister had undergone a CT scan and spent a night in hospital following the accident.

EU clears way for China investment pact

MM Online:

EU clears way for China investment pact

China’s commitment to labour rights had remained a hurdle, but Europe has long sought greater access to the huge Chinese market for its companies. — Reuters pic

BRUSSELS, Dec 28 — EU member states gave political backing to Brussels’ planned investment pact with China today, clearing the way for a deal between the world’s biggest economic blocs.

At a meeting of ambassadors, the German EU presidency noted no member had “raised a stop sign and the way for a political endorsement was thus cleared”, a diplomat said.

The diplomats noted “recent positive developments” in negotiations, with China reportedly addressing concerns over the alleged use of forced labour on its farms.

This came after the Chinese foreign ministry said last week that “negotiations have entered the final stretch” — and a second EU diplomat said an agreement could now be formally announced this week.

“We have to be careful, but as long as China is in agreement, there could be an official announcement from Brussels and Beijing by the end of the week,” the senior envoy told AFP.

The deal would be a major boost for both sides and strengthen economic ties between the giants before the arrival of US president-elect Joe Biden in the White House in January.

Outgoing US leader Donald Trump has engaged in a trade war with China but his successor has also expressed concern about the EU outreach, with his team urging Brussels to consult with Washington.

The European Commission, the EU executive, had said before Christmas that the draft of the “political agreement” was “95 per cent ready” and just needed the capitals’ green light.

China’s commitment to labour rights had remained a hurdle, but Europe has long sought greater access to the huge Chinese market for its companies.

‘Systemic rival’

The head of the EU chamber of commerce in Beijing Joerg Wuttke told AFP this month that negotiators had “apparently made great strides on market access”.

As part of the accord the EU has also been pushing Beijing to reinforce respect for intellectual property, end obligations to transfer technology, reduce subsidies for public enterprises and improve on climate commitments.

While Trump’s administration has engaged in a war of words with Beijing, Brussels has taken a balanced approach.

The EU states treat China as a “systemic rival” and have expressed concerns over China’s rights record, especially its clampdown in Hong Kong and treatment of the Uighurs.

China’s increasing global assertiveness under President Xi Jinping has given some in Europe pause for thought.

But the bloc’s leading economic power Germany, which holds the rotating EU presidency until the end of the year, had made securing the deal a priority of its time at the helm.

Berlin wanted to get the agreement signed off at a joint EU-China summit in September, but the coronavirus pushed the event online and no deal was signed.

China pushed past the United States in the third quarter of this year to become the EU’s top trade partner, as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the US economy while Chinese activity rebounded. — AFP

Stop being ‘super hypocrites’, Zaid tells politicians

FMT:

Stop being ‘super hypocrites’, Zaid tells politicians

Former federal minister Zaid Ibrahim said he was forced to return after a two-year hiatus and write as the political hypocrisy in the country had reached an unbelievable level.

PETALING JAYA: After a two-year hiatus, former minister Zaid Ibrahim says he has been forced to return and write as the political hypocrisy in the country has reached an unbelievable level that the people have become confused.

As a result, he said this has caused much political confusion and was affecting Malaysians.

Asking politicians not to be “super hypocrites”, the former Kelantan DAP chief said many parties were manipulating the masses just to stay in power or win in elections.

“The focus of many leaders is to form alliances just to form the government and not to serve the people.

“And in this process, their most popular rallying cry is to stay away from the so-called cluster of corrupt Umno leaders.

“They do not want Najib Razak and Zahid Hamidi but are willing to cooperate with other leaders from the party,” Zaid said in his Facebook post today.

He said they had failed to ask themselves if the other Umno leaders who had not been charged in court were involved in corrupt practices or whether the elected representatives who jumped to PPBM were as “innocent as babies”.

Zaid advised Malaysians to vote for candidates who were honest and not politicians who were hypocrites.

Totally Useless incompetent JAKIM & its 'non-halal' halal certification

finance-twitter:

No “Merry Christmas” Greeting On Cakes – But Corrupt JAKIM Plays Dumb About The King’s Greeting & Meat Scandal

As Malaysia becomes more radical and extreme, this year’s Christmas has again attracted blockbuster drama from some silly religious fanatics whose faith in Islam appears to be challenged – by cakes. Apparently, bakery or cake shops with “halal certification” cannot decorate cakes with “Merry Christmas” greetings if the goal is to display the cakes at the shops.

According to JAKIM deputy director-general (Operations) Abdul Aziz Jusoh, permission for a cake to be decorated with religious celebrations such as Christmas is only allowed if a shop makes the cake as ordered and purchased by customers. In short, the cakes must be made to be delivered to customers’ consumption and not for the purpose of display or marketing.


JAKIM’s (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) statement essentially means cakes with “Merry Christmas” greetings could somehow become a very dangerous weapon if being displayed in shops because Muslims may convert to Christianity at the sight of the cakes. It gives an impression Malaysian Muslims’ faith in their religion is so weak that cakes could trigger apostasy.



The drama exploded following news that a customer was shocked when a bakery shop delivered to him a pre-ordered cake with “Happy Holidays” instead of the original requested “Merry Christmas” greeting. The bakery owner explained it was due to labelling rules set by Jakim that says the halal logo issued by the Halal Management System cannot be used to promote other religions.

On Christmas Eve (Dec 24), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri acknowledged that as long as the cake was not for display, halal-certified bakeries are not prohibited from taking orders meant for non-Islamic religious celebration. Does that also mean shops cannot display, let alone sell cookies in the shape of cute Christmas tree or snowman?

But if such a greeting is so harmful, why on earth did the moronic Jakim allow extravagant 30ft Christmas trees, Santa Claus, gigantic reindeers, snowmen and whatnot to be displayed in shopping malls? More importantly, should not Jakim send officers to arrest Malay Muslims who happily took photos with those decorations, which obviously meant for non-Islamic religious celebration?



During the 2017 Christmas, controversial preacher Zamihan Mat Zin from the same Jakim Islamic Department said Christmas trees and other decorations that symbolise the celebration worldwide should not be allowed. The extremist argued that such decorations will offend the feelings of Muslims as it could stir the sensitivity of the Muslim community, whatever that means.

Can you see how contradictory, hypocritical and idiotic of Jakim to declare cakes with “tiny” Merry Christmas greeting cannot be displayed in bakery shops, but 30ft Christmas trees along with “huge” Merry Christmas greetings can be displayed in Pavilion, KL East Mall, MidValley, Sunway Pyramid, The Gardens, Suria KLCC, Berjaya Times Square and 1-Utama Malls?

Fine, let’s assume the two words – Merry Christmas – are the ultimate WMD (weapon of mass destruction) that can destroy the faith and will drive Malay Muslims to abandon Islam in droves. But if a cake can have such a great influence, how about the country’s top leaders who explicitly used the two magic words to wish the country’s population of 32 million who celebrate Christmas?



Yes, backdoor Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had wished Merry Christmas to all Christians. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) and Raja Permaisuri Agong (Queen) too had similarly extended their Christmas and New Year wishes to all Malaysians. So, why bakery shops cannot wish people Merry Christmas through a cake, but prime minister and the King can do so through news media?

Should not Jakim summon the premier and the monarch to explain their intentions of wishing Malaysians who celebrate Christmas? Should not PAS extremists and radicals lodge thousands of police reports against PM Muhyiddin and the Agong and Queen? Before you foam at the mouth screaming that there’s nothing wrong for a Muslim to wish a Christian a Merry Christmas, continue reading.

During the 2018 Christmas, Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, the son of PAS Islamist party president Hadi Awang, warned Muslims not to celebrate Christmas – claiming it was an acknowledgement of the Christian religion and has elements of “syirik” or idolatry. In fact, the narrow-minded Khalil said Muslims are forbidden from posting Christmas greetings at all.



Based on PAS’ idiotic argument and half-baked logic, Jakim and police have every reason to grill and interrogate the prime minister and the monarch, no? In the same breath, Muslims should be prohibited from entering shopping malls or hotels decorated with Christmas celebration because not only they may be influenced by elements of idolatry, but also could encourage apostasy.

In reality, Jakim is not only clueless and incompetent, but is also a corrupt overpaid Islamic department. Heck, it’s an understatement to say Jakim is a wasteful and useless agency. The backdoor Perikatan Nasional government was indeed very dumb to dump RM1.4 billion in the recent Budget 2021 for the federal agency that claims to regulate Islamic affairs.

An underground “meat cartel” has just been exposed for distributing fake halal beef as well as passing off the horse and kangaroo meat as beef to Malaysian Muslims for the last 40 years. The cartel’s scam involves importing non-certified meat from countries like Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Spain and Mexico, before repackaging it with fake halal logos and documentation.



According to the New Straits Times, the syndicate would buy meat, including beef from animals of poor quality or even diseased, at up to 50% cheaper than meat obtained from certified slaughterhouses. The non-halal meat would be shipped to Malaysia and transported directly to the cartel warehouses, where it is mixed with certified halal meat.

The shipment of the dubious meat would bypass the authorities’ checks and upon repackaging, sold to suppliers and stores across the country. The cartel brings in between 300 and 400 containers a month. While corrupt government officers are paid between RM150 and RM3,000 to release cargoes, officers on the ground receive bribes of between RM150 and RM500 to release each container.

The government loses about RM1.5 million in revenue every month due to the meat smuggling activities. The scandal involves agencies like the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department, Customs Department and Port Police, who are in charge of managing the supplies once they enter Malaysian ports namely Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), Westport and Northport.



The scam actually began abroad, where government agency officers entrusted with supervising the quality of the meat at the slaughterhouses – JAKIM – would sign off on the questionable meat, even before they arrived at meat processing plants for checks in exchange for bribes and sexual services. Therefore, at least four government agencies are working hand-in-glove with the meat cartel.

The best part is that the scandal has been hidden for the last 40 years – suggesting very powerful politicians and senior government officers, including those from Jakim, are “business partners” of the cartel. It’s both incredible and hilarious that the very Islamic department entrusted to ensure quality of meat becomes the agency that betrays the Muslims by supplying them with non-halal meat.

It means from 1980 to 2020, unsuspecting Malays have been consuming their favourite burgers, sausages, meatball, “sup tulang” (beef bone soup) and “beef rendang” made of diseased non-halal meat largely thanks to Jakim. It also means under Prime Ministers Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Badawi, Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin, Muslims are being fed with tainted meat.



Curiously, UMNO and PAS champions, who like to stir up racial and religion sentiments among the Malays that the Muslims and Malay Rulers have lost power to the “Chinese, Christians and Communists”, are as quiet as a church mouse since the meat scandal was exposed. They no longer talk about holding mega rallies to “save Malays”, let alone protect Islam.

Clearly, the “munafiqs (hypocrites)” can’t divert attention by blaming the non-Muslims this time. All the corrupt culprits involved in the meat scandal are 100% ethnic Malay – politicians, government officers and businessmen. Even the companies given the AP (approved permit) to import the meat are 100% owned by Malays or Bumiputeras. This is a simple case of Malays cheating Malays.

Still, the burning question is why hadn’t Jakim conduct random check and test on imported meat to ensure quality and compliance with halal certification throughout the 40 years? If the genius Jakim scientists possessed the expertise to test Cadbury chocolate for pig DNA in 2014, what is so hard about analysing imported meat for horse or kangaroo DNA?



Instead of making a mountain out of a molehill in the petty issue of Merry Christmas greeting on cakes, Jakim and Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri should explain why tainted meat has been sold since 1980 under the nose of the Islamic department. Where are the holy men like Hadi Awang and Malay heroes like Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin when we need them the most?

At least 4 million UMNO supporters and 2 million PAS supporters have been scammed again. Make no mistake. Those rubbish third-grade poor quality and diseased beef mixed with horse and kangaroo meat are meant for the gullible 6 million UMNO and PAS fanatics. The corrupt leaders consume only top quality meat like Australian and Japanese Wagyu beef.

JAKIM is nothing but a corrupt department disguised as an over-glorified Islamic institution. Their main business is to enrich fake holy men and preachers by selling “halal logo”. To justify their existence and relevance, they would attack minority non-Muslims every now and then. No wonder even Sultan Ibrahim of Johor questioned why Jakim needed RM1 billion budgets back in 2015.

Jingle bell, Jingle Bell, We're going to Malaysia to become "halal" beef, wakakaka

We too, and real (though diseased) beef

Guan Eng’s sister also agreed with Ferry replacement, so Guan Eng STFU

MM Online:

Wee: ‘Shameless’ Guan Eng acting like he is still Penang CM

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong questioned Lim’s right to raise the federal government’s decision to discontinue the ferry service in Penang. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 — Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng is still ‘shamelessly’ acting as if he is still helming the state.

The MCA president questioned Lim’s right to raise the federal government’s decision to discontinue the ferry service in Penang.

He was commenting on Lim’s statement last week in which the DAP secretary-general had said that the decision to discontinue the ferry service is an unequivocal declaration of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) open confrontation with Penang citizens.

On his Facebook posting yesterday, Wee responded to Lim by stating that the latter is no longer the Penang chief minister to issue such a retort and that the federal government will instead conduct proper discussions with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

“Looks like Lim Guan Eng is still acting like he’s the Penang Chief Minister whereas the Penang Chief Minister recognised by the Federal government is none other than YAB Chow Kon Yeow (CKY). Whatever decision about the ferry services, Tengku Zafrul and I will discuss with the real Chief Minister, CKY!

“Many Penangites are confused as if there are two Chief Ministers, whereby YAB Chow Kon Yeow is the weekdays’ CM while Lim Guan Eng is the weekend CM,’’ said Wee.

Wee also pointed out that it was the previous Pakatan Harapan government that had agreed to replace Penang ferry services with catamaran vessels.

“Lim Guan Eng’s sister, who is also a current Senator, Lim Hui Ying also agreed with this move. Looks like the Lim family should call for a family meeting to standardise their views,’’ said Wee.

Wee said replacing the ferry service, which is prone to breakdowns, with catamarans is a practical initiative to protect the safety of Penangites which will benefit Penang’s travel and transport industries.

*********

kt notes:

As mentioned in previous post, Guan Eng knows he is now not very well respected and is this is DESPERATE to regain his old invincible popularity amongst Penangites, so he would say anything on everything, what more on an emotional Penang issue, wakakaka. What an eff-ing Drama Queen.

Guan Eng acting like he is still Penang CM

FMT:

Guan Eng acting like he is still Penang CM, says Wee

Wee Ka Siong (right) alleges that Lim Guan Eng has ruined Penang’s cultural values.

PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong has taken another swipe at former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng over the Penang ferry issue, questioning the latter’s right to raise the matter.

The MCA president said Lim was acting as if he is sharing the leadership of the state with Chow Kon Yeow.

“Many Penangites are confused and are wondering if there are two chief ministers, with Chow Kon Yeow being the weekday chief minister while Lim Guan Eng acts as the weekend chief minister.

“The Penang chief minister recognised by the federal government is Chow Kon Yeow,” Wee said in a post on his Facebook page.

“Whatever decision about the ferry services, (Finance Minister) Tengku Zafrul Aziz and I will discuss with the real Chief Minister, CKY!”

Stating that the decision to replace Penang’s ferry services with catamaran vessels was agreed upon by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, Wee said Lim’s sister Lim Hui Yang – who is also a senator – had also agreed with the move.

“Looks like the Lim family should call for a family meeting to standardise their views,” Wee said.

Hitting back at Lim’s claims that the federal government’s plan for the ferries ignored Penang’s heritage and history, Wee said Lim was responsible for “truly ruining” Penang’s cultural values.

“Who was the one who carried out land reclamation and destroyed the hills?,” he asked.

“Thirdly, isn’t replacing ferry services that are prone to breakdowns with catamarans a more practical move to protect the safety of Penangites and more beneficial to Penang’s travel and transport industries?”

Wee previously said old ferries will make way for “safer, faster and cheaper-to-maintain” water buses (to carry passengers) and transporters (to carry motorcycles), which are expected to arrive by mid-2022.

Yesterday, Lim said plans to cancel the iconic 126-year-old Penang ferry service at the end of the year proved that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government was in “open confrontation” with the people of Penang, adding that the effort was led by Wee.

The DAP secretary-general said that apart from the loss of the old ferries, there were several other development projects approved by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government which were cancelled by the PN administration.

This, he said, meant Penangites and their children would “never forgive” the “vindictive, vengeance politics” of MCA and Wee.

*********

kt notes:

When I was a village kid, my late mum used to admonish me for "ai choi soo" (nak cari pasal). Looks like Lim Guan Eng requires my late mum's admonition too.

Guan Eng knows that he and his treacherous KHAT-Sial-ish dad are in the popularity doldrums, and thus is trying hard, indeed damn hard, to retain attention and hopefully restore his once-invincible popularity.

We have had enough of his 'beloved Atuk' kerbau and hopeless relentless feral attacks on other Chinese-based political parties, not forgetting his marginalisation of some of his own party members.

Related:

Rocking the boat

Najib: ‘Meat cartel” scandal did not happen during BN’s time

MM Online:

Najib: ‘Meat cartel” scandal did not happen during BN’s time

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has denied claims that the ‘meat cartel’ scandal happened when he was prime minister. — File picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has denied claims that the ‘meat cartel’ scandal that imports non-certified meat products and passes them off as halal products, happened during his time in office as the prime minister.

Najib said the former Barisan Nasional government would have taken serious action against the syndicate if it had received any official complaints or information.

“Although the media had reported that this issue happened 40 years ago, from my memory the meat cartel issue did not arise during our government and we also never received any official complaints.

“I have also checked with the relevant ministers at the time and they too have confirmed that there were no official complaints received and the media too did not raise this issue during my time as the prime minister,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook account today.

Najib said based on his research the issue was first raised in October 2019, reported by Asia Sentinel after an Australian halal certification body had their recognition withdrawn by Jakim (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia).

In November 2019, Asia Sentinal reported that there were corruption issues among Jakim officers but was dismissed by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) religious affairs minister and deputy minister.

“At the time, MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) political appointee chief Latheefa Koya had promised to investigate the matter and give an update later.

“The issue had then been forgotten and Latheefa also didn’t give any update pertaining to the issue until she resigned when the PH government was toppled.

“Anyhow, the religious affairs minister during Pakatan Harapan’s administration had now come out to say that MACC never investigated this issue when he was the minister.

“So I think we need to ask Latheefa and Fuziah (former religious affairs deputy minister Fuziah Salleh) what is the status of the investigation into the meat cartel issue throughout the four months they were investigating,” said Najib.

The story first broke on Monday (December 21) when it was revealed that senior officers from at least four government agencies were believed to be working hand-in-glove with a cartel specialising in bringing non-certified meat, including kangaroo and horse, into Malaysia and passing it off as halal-certified products.

Unnamed sources were quoted by the New Straits Times claimed that senior officers who were entrusted with ensuring that halal standards are upheld, have instead received bribes and sexual services, in exchange for ensuring the cartel’s operations go undetected.

It is understood that the cartel has been in operation for more than 40 years, and is said to import meat from non-halal-certified slaughterhouses in countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Spain and Mexico.

The only countries that have been certified by the Malaysian authorities for the import of halal meat are Australia, Argentina, Brazil, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Japan, New Zealand and the United States, with imports handled by the Malaysia Islamic Development Department and Veterinary Services Department.

Similarly, the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department, Customs Department and port police are in charge of managing the supplies once they enter Malaysian ports, and it is believed officials from that agency are also implicated.

Rocking the boat

ON THE BEAT | BY WONG CHUN WAI

Rocking the boat

Photo: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

Financial logic is shaking the foundations of the Penang ferry’s nostalgic appeal.

IF there’s a valid reason for Penang’s iconic ferry service to be retained, then it’s merely to preserve heritage and aesthetics.

However, that means taxpayers would have to cough up millions of ringgit for nostalgia.

I wonder how many of our politicians on the island regularly patronise the ferry service when they travel to the mainland.

Barring those accessing Butterworth town from George Town, they’ll likely use the Penang bridge to reach Seberang Prai. It’s apparent that the second link to the mainland, the 24km Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, is greatly underutilised. Again, it wouldn’t be wrong to presume that these politicians don’t use it often either, if at all.

Like the Star Ferry service, which connects Hong Kong and Kowloon, the Penang ferry is more than just a tourist attraction – it also serves as a quick travel system.

But the Penang ferry service is also like an unwanted child. Everyone talks passionately about wanting to keep the baby, but no one wants to pay for childcare.

Talk is cheap, so show us the money, goes the adage.

Many Penang politicians – a bulk not even true-blue Penangites in the first place – talk about saving the service, but no one has practical plans to sustain it.

The cost won’t justify its upkeep – it’s that simple.

If the Finance Ministry announces that the ferry service is to be retained with an allocation of RM30mil, then it is certainly not a long-term solution. It is throwing away good money as this service is already in the intensive care unit.

Any plan should be feasible and long-term in nature.

There is little point in using political superlatives – like “acts of betrayal” – in an attempt to hang on to it.

The reality is that the Penang ferry service, with the same models, same look and feel, can no longer act as the continuing mode of transport. Period.

Like the Star Ferry in HK, the Penang ferry service has also been bleeding profusely. Passenger numbers have dropped drastically, so the operation has been running at a massive loss.

In HK, since the Star Ferry pier was moved from its old spot next to City Hall to its new location outside the International Finance Centre, passenger count has fallen sharply, so the service caters mainly to tourists and few commuters, reveal reports.

Likewise, the Penang ferry service has experienced the same fate. Over the last four years, the number of passengers has been dismal.

An average of two million users, including bicycles, lorries, cars, motorcycles and passengers, used the ferry between 2016 and 2019.

The number of passengers and motorcycles averages around a million a year, respectively.

That figure was halved this year, although the Covid-19 pandemic can take credit for that with travelling restricted.

But while the issue of ridership remains a major concern, the big question is the seaworthiness of the ferries in the future, since most of them are 47 years old.

The service experiences an average of one breakdown a month. That’s how bad it’s been. Just talk to the workers operating the ferries for details.

Sourcing spare parts from Europe has been a major challenge because the manufacturers no longer make these obsolete parts.

The government entity, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, has been put in the unenviable position of running this loss-making entity, as it is said to cost them RM13.7mil annually to keep the ferries in service, yet it only collects RM7mil in tickets on average.

Prasarana has had to fork out RM24mil a year since it took over the service from Penang Port Sdn Bhd in 2018.

The previous Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, under the Pakatan Harapan government, had announced that Prasarana would be allocated RM90mil for upgrading the ferries and terminals. Of this, RM21mil would have been set aside to buy new passenger ferries, which presumably would be in a different form and shape from the present iconic ones.

A total of RM13.7mil from the allocation was to be spent on repairing the six existing ferries over a three-year period, but the funds never arrived.

I’m told that of the RM31mil operations cost a year, the ferries’ maintenance takes up to 50% of the budget, a bill which could increase as they age.

An annual loss of RM24mil is incurred in operating the ferry service. That’s a colossal sum to pay for the sake of nostalgia.

With an average monthly passenger and motorist count of 84,000 each, registered between 2016 and 2018, no business can afford such an operation.

Instead of making generalised and populist comments, politicians should also look at the financial details.

It makes sense to use catamarans and new water buses to replace the ferries, which would ensure the transport facility’s flow.

In fact, last year, Loke announced the use of catamarans to replace the existing ferry service.

Likewise, the iconic Penang Hill funicular railway, which climbs from Air Itam to Penang Hill, has been replaced with many different models because of maintenance and spare part issues.

It makes little sense to stubbornly insist on sticking to these old ferries purely for nostalgic reasons.

It’s not as if transportation between Penang island and Butterworth will be terminated.

I go back to my home state every month because I’m a born and bred Penang Island boy. The ferry service holds many fond memories for me, but if it needs to take a bow, then we must accept it. After all, logic should prevail.

Hypocritical DAP

The People's Parliament

We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers – Emmeline Pankhurst

Dear YB Nga

Posted on December 9, 2020



Malaysiakini on 7th December, 2020, reported that, in trying to explain the move by DAP to open negotiations with UMNO to form the new Perak state government, said the following :

“It will create a strong and stable government”, resolving the issue of defections and enable a new UMNO-PH government to command a 2/3 majority in the state legislature.

You know, I can imagine the very same thing being said some almost 50 years ago.

By Tun Abdul Razak as he tried to entice the opposition parties into the then mooted Barisan Nasional.

Most took the bait.

One stood like the proverbial rock of Gibraltar and resisted the seduction.

The Democratic Action Party.

DAP.

The DAP of then.

After Anwar’s infamous announcement in September that he had the numbers to form a new government, on 25th September, 2020, Malaysiakini reported Guan Eng as categorically stating that “DAP will not cooperate with an Umno that is under the leadership of (Umno president) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and (Pekan MP) Najib Abdul Razak. Absolutely not”.

How?

UMNO at federal and state level two different creatures?

One corrupt to the core, the other an unblemished lamb?

You are also reported to have said that “any cooperation with Umno would be conditional and must be based on justice, good governance and multiculturalism”.

Hmmm, sounds so much like what you chappies were saying whilst you were then wearing your Pakatan Rakyat caps and seeking to justify getting into bed with Dr M.

YB, going into the 12th, 13th and 14th GE, was not the clarion call by you to the rakyat to bring down UMNO / BN?

And did not the rakyat finally do just that on 9th May, 2018?

Now you would have us believe that an UMNO-Harapan collaboration would be good for the people of Perak?

“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.” – Abraham Lincoln

Zaid eff-ed KHAT: You were in bed with kleptocrats, you hypocrite

FMT:

You were in bed with kleptocrats, Zaid ticks off Kit Siang

DAP’s stalwart Lim Kit Siang (left) and its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at a Hari Raya open house in 2009 at then prime minister Najib Razak’s house at Seri Perdana. Kit Siang has often referred to Najib’s administration as kleptocratic. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A former federal minister said Lim Kit Siang should stop labelling Umno a kleptocratic party, as the DAP supremo had been “in bed” with kleptocrats.

nothing as cheap as Vellfire lah

Zaid Ibrahim, a former Kelantan DAP chief, said Lim was probably still “in bed with them”.

“Just because these kleps were not charged and left Umno does not mean they are ‘cleaner’ than Umno,” he tweeted tonight.

While Zaid did not identify who Lim had been working with, several Umno leaders who either left or were sacked from the party went on to set up PPBM.

PPBM was part of the Pakatan Harapan government before it collapsed after Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation and PPBM’s subsequent pullout from the ruling coalition earlier this year.

PPBM now leads the Perikatan Nasional government which Umno backs. In fact, several Umno MPs are in the Cabinet.

Earlier today, Lim, who is the Iskandar Puteri MP, had, in a blog post, asked if the “kleptocratic Umno leaders” were the worst enemy of the Malays and the country.

Lim had also often used the label when attacking former prime minister Najib Razak.

DOUBLE whammy for VERY VERY thick skinned KHAT

FMT:

Look at the mirror before criticising others, Najib tells Kit Siang

Former prime minister Najib Razak said DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang was being criticised on Facebook for not apologising after being proven wrong about his claims on many occasions.

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Najib Razak slammed DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang for his relentless attacks on his integrity but at the same time remaining silent on his broken promises and his son’s corruption charges.

He said if Kit Siang cared to look at his Facebook posts, he would know that he was being insulted and criticised by hundreds of thousands of Malaysians for not apologising after being proven wrong about his claims on many occasions.

Referring to Kit Siang’s promise to quit politics if Dr Mahathir Mohamad failed to hand over the prime minister’s post to Anwar Ibrahim as pledged during the GE14 campaign, he said Kit Siang had conveniently forgotten about it.

Just an ordinary bullshitting politician

“He is yet to do so even though the petition for him to fulfil his promise has reached 57,000 signatories,” he said, adding that this can be found at tinyurl.com/unclebersara.

Taking aim at Guan Eng’s court cases, Najib said the Iskandar Puteri MP remained silent on his son’s corruption charges.

“He did not tell his son to resign or take a break while facing the corruption charges like he always does to others,” he said in a lengthy post on his Facebook page.

Guan Eng, the former Penang chief minister, was charged with two counts of misappropriating RM208.7 million in the sale of state land to two companies. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“Kit Siang was also silent when his son’s bungalow corruption court trial was dropped halfway after his son’s lawyer was appointed as the attorney-general.

“He did not say this decision insulted the country’s legal system. So, is Kit Siang so full of integrity?”

Tommy Thomas, who was appointed as the attorney-general during the Pakatan Harapan administration, had acted for Guan Eng in a matter before PH came to power.

Najib said he was then accused of killing deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais, claiming that the proof was in a pen drive.

“When I asked him for the pen drive, there was silence. He responded by saying he never accused me of killing anyone, including Teoh Beng Hock, Altantuya Shaariibuu and Kevin,” he said, referring to the three high-profile murder cases.

Najib said when Lim was the opposition leader several decades ago, he had accused Mahathir, who was then prime minister, of causing Bank Negara’s RM33 billion forex losses.

“But he was silent when Dr Mahathir withdrew the police report lodged as a result of the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the investigation into the scandal. It was then classified as No Further Action (NFA) last year (when PH was part of the federal government).

“No one was held responsible or even prosecuted even though the country lost RM33 billion. But uncle (Lim) was okay as long as his son remained the finance minister in Mahathir’s government,” he added.

The latest from Lim, Najib said, was on Malaysia’s purchase of the Covid-19 vaccine that he claimed was being purchased at a price which was 20 times more than it actually cost.

“After he was proven wrong, again he chose to remain silent. No apologies whatsoever (were offered),” Najib said.

*********

kt notes:

It's already a shame for KHAT Sial to be criticised by anyone with accurate points against him, BUT to be criticised by Najib, and MOST correctly at that, it certainly is a double whammy - if I were KHAT Sial I'll go and jump into the sea, wakakaka. Malu lah, what a thick skin double standard hypocrite.

Why is anti-Hindu Kedah MB Vell-bent on demanding 'water' money from Penang?

Malaysiakini:



Water issue: Court settlement last resort, says Kedah MB

The Kedah state government can take the raw water charge issue against Penang to court if the matter could not be resolved.

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, however, said the state government would still want to settle the matter through negotiation and a court settlement is only the last resort.

“We will negotiate with Penang now, as we are in Malaysia together.

“But, if the issue comes to a deadlock, it could be brought to court and this will be the final move by the state government,” he said when met by reporters after launching the groundbreaking ceremony for Jerlun PAS Complex today.

He was commenting on whether the state government would bring the matter to court for settlement if the Penang state government refused to pay the Kedah government.

Yesterday, Sanusi was reported as saying that the Kedah government was still open to negotiation with Penang over the payment for raw water before seeking the intervention of Putrajaya.

Before this, Kedah was claiming RM50 million from the Penang Water Supply Corporation as payment for raw water taken from Sungai Muda since 2010 but there was no action taken by Penang.

*********

FMT:

Not a single cent from us for raw water, Penang tells Sanusi

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor and Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy are at odds with each other on payment for raw water from Sungai Muda.

PETALING JAYA: The Penang government will not pay a single cent to Kedah for drawing raw water from its side of Sungai Muda, Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said.

“The Penang government is consistent in its position. We will not pay a single cent to Kedah for drawing raw water from Sungai Muda. There is no indication that we will make contributions either.

“There will be no negotiations or even discussions with the Kedah government if the water rights of Penang are not respected,” he said in a statement today.

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor said yesterday that they would charge Penang 10 sen per cubic metre but was ready to negotiate with Penang on how much the latter could pay for drawing raw water from Sungai Muda.

He also said that he was not willing to take contributions in lieu from Penang as suggested by his party leader and the current Minister of Environment and Water, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Ramasamy said there was no reason to pay for raw water drawn from its side of the river, adding that inter-state agreements had clearly stipulated that Penang was entitled to its share of water.

“Moreover, the concept of Riparian rights clearly endorses the water rights of Penang to draw from its side of Sungai Muda.

“It is not that Penang is taking water from Kedah. The middle-line of the river demarcates the boundary of Kedah and Penang,” he said.

Ramasamy reiterated that Riparian water rights as legitimatised by the Constitution endowed states to use water if the source was located within the boundary.

He added that there were legal precedents and court decisions in the past that clearly and unequivocally established the right of states or countries to have equal share of a common water source.

“Sanusi might say that since Sungai Muda originates from the Ulu Muda area of Kedah, water belongs to the state but some would say that the origins could even be traced to the hills of southern Kedah.”

Ramasamy said if this was the case, then Sanusi must be prepared to pay raw water charges to the Thai government.

JAKIM has failed miserably, and MUST go

MM Online:

Jakim tightening enforcement, SOP for halal certification for imported goods, says religious affairs deputy minister

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said Jakim will tighten enforcement for halal certification for imported goods. — Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri

KOTA BARU, Dec 26 — The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will tighten enforcement and the standard operating procedure (SOP) for halal certification for imported goods including meat brought in by cartels.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said this was to ensure that everyone, especially Muslims could obtain the supply of halal and clean flood, based on Islamic rulings.

"God willing, with it (meat cartel scandal) being exposed, the government including Jakim will improve the SOP and monitoring for compliance, and if needed, to increase its (Jakim) manpower.”

He said this to reporters after attending the Pengkalan Chepa-level circumcision ceremony at Dewan Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam, near here, today.

The media had reported the cartel’s evil tactic of smuggling frozen kangaroo and horse meat from certain countries and passing it off as beef by repackaging the meat and using the halal logo before selling it to supermarkets across Malaysia.

Ahmad Marzuk said following this discovery, Jakim would step up collaboration with the relevant agencies including the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to resolve the issue. — Bernama

There are 2 English sayings for him, (a) Closing the stable doors after the horses have bolted, and (b) ... wakakaka ... I leave this one to my dear readers.

And don't use or misuse the word 'cartel' to shift the blame onto 'outsiders' or foreigners, because Malaysian senior officers of 4 government agencies (responsible for import of so-called 'halal' products) are at the heart of the 'cartel', where 'foreign firms only provided dodgy goods and services.

Insofar as 'halal' goods and services are concerned in Malaysia, we must ask JAKIM for answers, not its kerbau-ish 'tighten enforcement and SOP', the statement in itself admitting the enforcement and SOP hitherto have been shitty.

As JAKIM exists for 23 years, it has been responsible for 23 out of the 40 years many Malaysian Muslims were eating non-halal kangaroo and horse meat, and (as reported) diseased beef. And it worries about icing on a cake from a halal-certified bakery which reads 'Merry Christmas', when it's not even the job of halal-certified shops to promote or defend Islam, but ONLY to ensure its foodstuff, services and processes are halal-certified.

Power-craze - its repulsiveness is horrendously sickening

MM Online:

Amanah issues Opposition assemble rallying cry to take Perikatan head on in GE15

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu said it is imperative for the Opposition to remain united and for the party to act as a bridge between the various parties as they prepare for GE15. — Picture by Hari Anggara

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 — Parti Amanah Negara has called on the Opposition to form a grand coalition to oust Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the 15th general election (GE15).

During this year’s convention policy speech, party president Mohamad Sabu recalled that part of the reason why Pakatan Harapan (PH) won the general election in 2018 was due to the leadership and partnership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said this created a strong coalition which in turn inspired confidence among Malaysians to vote out Barisan Nasional (BN) which had been in power since Merdeka.

Mohamad, who is also popularly known as Mat Sabu, said it is imperative for the Opposition to remain united and for Amanah to act as a bridge between the various parties as they prepare for GE15.

“Moving forward, I am of the view that it is important for Amanah to continue playing a role in strengthening Pakatan Harapan.

“It is even more important to build on Pakatan Harapan’s cooperation with other parties as well as all Opposition parties for a great reset before forming another grand coalition again (for GE15).

“Once again, I emphasise that I am ready to be a bridge to close the divide. Even if I am used as a stepping stone, for the sake of the people and this beloved country, I will do as we have done before, and that is, earnestly and with full commitment,” he told Amanah delegates during the party’s annual convention in Bukit Katil, Melaka.

The convention was also live streamed in accordance with Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).

Mohamad’s call to unite comes amid reports that Dr Mahathir and Anwar are no longer on speaking terms after falling out in June over who should lead the Opposition.

Several coalition sources confirmed to Malay Mail that that there have been no “meaningful” cooperation or official bloc meetings involving the PKR president, the Parti Pejuang Tanah Air chairman and the Parti Warisan Sabah president, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal for several months.

News portal The Vibes also reported PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as saying the former prime minister made it abundantly clear that he wants nothing to do with the coalition anymore.

Mohamad in his speech also touched on how this has affected PH presidential council meetings.

*********

kt notes:

We need to be mindful of the reality that both Mat Sabu and Guan Eng are very devotedly pro Mahathir. Don't ask why, but when men are lustful for power they must have sh*t in their brains to continue supporting a treacherous snake like their beloved Atuk.

There have been relentless anti Anwar campaigns in recent times, informing us of how pathetic Anwar is as a Pakatan leader. But we need to ask the question (the elephant in the room): If Anwar is considered so hopeless as a Pakatan leader, why then are there so many non-stop anti Anwar campaigns? Eff-ing virtually relentless.

Mates, "someone", a black-hearted eff-er, is undeniably damn scared indeed of DSAI rising to claim the PM post. That the eff-er might possibly be funding the anti Anwar campaigns would and should come as no surprise to us.

Eff Mat Sabu and Guan Eng, aiyoyo, are such treacherous (so-called) allies to have so-easily abandoned Anwar in the ridiculous hope of a quickie return to federal rule via their beloved Atuk. Their greedy repulsiveness make me sick.

Christmas Large 'bomb' blast in Nashville

Guardian (Aus Ed):

Large 'bomb' blast wrecks buildings in downtown Nashville

• Explosion linked to parked RV occurred after warning call
• Three suffer non-critical injuries as structural damage reported
• Potential human remains also found

 

Emergency personnel work near the scene of an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday. Photograph: Mark Humphrey/AP

Downtown Nashville was sealed off on Friday, after a large explosion destroyed several buildings on Christmas morning in what local police said was an “intentional act”.

Nashville mayor John Cooper said: “Initial evidence does show that it was a deliberate bomb being set off in our community.”

At a briefing late morning, the FBI announced that the agency, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, would lead the investigation into a blast that left three people with non-critical injuries.

Law enforcement officials in Tennessee’s largest city told multiple media outlets that authorities had also found possible human remains in the vicinity of the explosion. It was unclear how the remains were related to the incident or whether they might belong to someone responsible.

Authorities said they had received a phone call warning that a parked recreational vehicle (RV) was set to explode in 15 minutes. The RV itself began broadcasting an apparently recorded repeating message for anyone nearby to stand away.

As Nashville police officers cleared the area of residents, the vehicle exploded, causing structural damage to several buildings, knocking down trees, and smashing windows for hundreds of yards.

“We had one officer that was knocked to the ground … and we are currently sweeping the area to make sure everyone is safe,” said a Nashville police spokesman, Don Aaron.

Aaron said police are not aware of other threats to public, but bomb dogs swept the area as a precaution. Authorities could not say if anyone was in the vehicle when it exploded.

Don Cochran, US attorney for Nashville, said the Department of Justice was directing its full resources to the investigation. FBI assistant special agent Matt Foster appealed to the public for tips. “We need your leads and we need your help,” he said.

Nashville police tweeted out a picture of the suspected vehicle caught on a security camera. It appeared to be a relatively old model with a pale paint job.

The ATF special agent in charge, Mickey French, said the agency had activated a national response team, including explosives experts to help investigate the incident. “Our main priority is obviously to keep our citizens safe and secure,” he said.

Images from the city’s entertainment district showed multiple buildings with windows blown out and masonry and rubble scattered in the street, and several burnt-out vehicles. Earlier images showed flames and smoke, and what appeared to be the charred remains of the RV.

Donald Trump has been briefed, according to the White House spokesman Judd Deere, who said that the president, who is spending the holidays in Florida, will continue to receive regular updates. The US justice department said the acting attorney general, Jeff Rosen, was also briefed and directed all department resources be made available to help with the investigation.

According to reports in the Tennessean, the blast was felt for miles and triggered a response from a police bomb squad as well as firefighters and other state and federal law enforcement officials.

“The explosion was significant, as you can see, the police department, its federal partners – the FBI and ATF – are conducting a large-scale investigation to this point,” said Nashville’s police spokesman. “We do believe that the explosion was an intentional act.”

Police later said the incident was linked to a vehicle parked outside a fondue restaurant, the Melting Pot.

FacebookTwitterPinterest Smoke billows from explosion site. 

Photograph: Jeremy Schott/Reuters

The owner of the nearby Nashville Downtown hostel told the paper guests were evacuated to Nissan Stadium for shelter. He said he got a call early on Friday from his staff reporting hearing a “loud boom” and the fire alarm going off.

Nashville’s mayor, John Cooper, urged people to stay away from the downtown area, as police and federal authorities launched their investigation. Cooper said the city was lucky that the number of injuries was limited.

Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee said on Twitter that the state would provide the resources necessary “to determine what happened and who was responsible”.

Andrew McCabe, a former deputy FBI director, told CNN that an explosion of this size would be investigated as a possible act of terrorism. He said it was possible police were the target of the explosions given they were answering a report of a suspicious vehicle when it blew up.

Buck McCoy, who lives near the area, posted videos on Facebook that show water pouring down the ceiling of his home. Alarms blare in the background and cries of people in great distress ring in the background. A fire is visible in the street outside.

McCoy said the windows of his home were entirely blown out. “All my windows, every single one of them got blown into the next room. If I had been standing there it would have been horrible,” he said.

“It felt like a bomb. It was that big,” he told the Associated Press. “There were about four cars on fire. I don’t know if it was so hot they just caught on fire, and the trees were all blown apart,” McCoy added.