Ahad, 31 Julai 2011

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports


Lochte wins five, still claims underdog status

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 08:13 AM PDT

Ryan Lochte (right) looks up to Michael Phelps. This was after their win in the men's 4 X 200m freestyle relay. — Reuters pic

SHANGHAI, July 31 — Ryan Lochte claimed five gold medals at the world swimming championships in Shanghai but was convinced he was still playing second fiddle to teammate Michael Phelps.

Lochte's fourth individual gold medal, and fifth overall, was achieved in the men's 400 metres individual medley. He led from start to finish and was never really challenged even though he chopped down a gear on the final leg of freestyle when the race had already been virtually assured.

"It's been a hard eight days," Lochte told reporters. "Being able to do the 4IM at the end of the week. I am glad the meet is over."

Lochte's win ensured he repeated the feat of two years ago in Rome when he also won both the 200 and 400 individual medley titles. Hungary's Tamas Darnyi is the only other man to have won both medley titles in consecutive championships.

Lochte also won the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke and was a member of the gold medal-winning 4x200 freestyle relay team. He was also only one of two swimmers to set a world record during these championships when he pipped Michael Phelps for the 200 individual medley gold.

China's Sun Yang broke the 1500 metres freestyle record in the final men's individual event on the programme today.

Lochte, who turns 27 on Aug. 3, was named the male swimmer of the meeting, usurping his more illustrious compatriot, though the big challenge is to ensure he continues his hot run of form into next year's London Olympics.

Phelps said that he had failed to fully commit to the intensive training schedule mapped out for him, and the fact he pushed his teammate so hard should worry the Florida-based Lochte.

"I don't think I am the top dog," Lochte said. "I have a whole year to work hard and train hard.

"For the most part, I am not really happy with the meet; I mean winning five gold medals is great but I know I can go faster.

"I will make sure next year I will have a perfect swim." — Reuters

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Sun burst caps final day of world championships

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 07:47 AM PDT

Ryan Lochte, with the Fina Trophy as the best male swimmer. — Reuters pic

SHANGHAI, July 31 — China's Sun Yang provided a record-breaking finale to the world swimming championships today, while Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps set up the potential of a mouth-watering showdown at next year's London Olympics.

The long-stroking Sun, roared on by his home crowd, produced a storming final 100 metres to break Grant Hackett's long-standing 1500 metres freestyle world record by clocking 14 minutes 34.14 seconds — just the second mark to be bettered in Shanghai.

"All the pain that I endured during my training in the past had paid off," Sun told reporters. "I didn't think too much about it (the record) before the race.

"I just wanted to swim with my own rhythm and in a 1500-metre race, you need to feel good about the swim. I think this has to do with all the hard work that I put in."

Lochte picked up his fifth gold of the championships when he won the men's 400 metres individual medley, to add to the 200 IM, 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke and the 4x200 freestyle relay titles.

The 26-year-old American was named the male swimmer of the meeting for his performances, which included the only other world record in the 200 IM.

Compatriot Michael Phelps, however, had an understated championships yet still won four gold medals.

The most successful Olympian of all time won both the 100 and 200 butterfly titles as well as gold medals in the 4x200 freestyle relay and the 4x100 medley relay.

He also took two silvers, behind Lochte in the 200 freestyle and 200 IM, and a bronze in the 4x100 freestyle relay.

The 26-year-old Phelps had admitted to not really committing fully to his training regime after the highs of Beijing, when he won an unprecedented eight gold medals, and was using Shanghai as a test for where he stood 12 months out from his final Olympics in London.

The fact he was able to push Lochte so close in a number of events and produce highly credible times suggested he and coach Bob Bowman had a more than adequate base to build from and the London programme looks even more enticing with the true emergence of Lochte as a mature and intelligent opponent.

"The biggest thing (at this meet) was really trying to swim faster than I did last year," Phelps said.

"With the preparations that I had, I am fairly satisfied.

"Everything that went on here is going to be motivation for next year. We have 12 months to prepare for London and that's what I will find myself doing."

Rebecca Soni, best female swimmer. — Reuters pic

American Rebecca Soni was named the female swimmer of the meeting after she added the 50 metres breaststroke bronze to her three gold medals in the 100-200 breaststroke and the 4x100 medley relay.

"I'm very happy with the race, and excited for the result," Soni said. "I had a lot of fun. It is great fun for me this week."

Soni's compatriot Jessica Hardy won the 50 breaststroke and coupled with wins for Elizabeth Beisel and Lochte in the 400 metres individual medley races and the men's 4x100 medley relay team winning gold, the US were able to sneak past the host nation to head the medal table.

The US won 16 gold medals in the pool, and 17 overall, just nudging past China, who ended with 15 golds after they swept all 10 titles in the diving.

Therese Alshammar of Sweden won the women's 50 freestyle and set down a marker for London, though the powerful Dutch team again proved their sprint freestyle credentials when Ranomi Kromowidjojo and Marleen Veldhuis took silver and bronze respectively.

Britain's Liam Tancock retained his men's 50 metres backstroke title though the event is not on the London programme. — Reuters

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The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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String of hits brings smile back to Bollywood

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 01:21 AM PDT

Bollywood's upward trend started after the end of the back-to-back World Cup and IPL cricket tournaments with the Salman Khan action comedy "Ready". — AFP/Relaxnews pic

MUMBAI, July 31 — Bollywood has had a better start to the second half of 2011 after a tough first six months of empty cinemas and postponed releases caused by clashes with major cricket tournaments, analysts say.

Long queues and "house full" signs have returned to cinemas in India's entertainment capital Mumbai and across the country since the start of June for a string of films that have proved a hit with audiences.

The upward trend started after the end of the back-to-back World Cup and Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournaments with the Salman Khan action comedy "Ready".

Since then, Sanjay Dutt's slapstick "Double Dhamaal", Aamir Khan's comedy "Delhi Belly", the thriller "Murder 2" and the Hrithik Roshan-Katrina Kaif road movie "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" (You Only Live Once) have all done well.

The boxofficeindia.com website, which tracks industry takings, on Wednesday said that "Zindagi" had taken 443.2 million rupees (RM29.7 million) since it opened on July 15, calling it a "hit".

"Murder 2" had taken 444.7 million rupees in under two weeks, deeming it a "blockbuster", while "Delhi Belly" had returns of 540.3 million rupees in three weeks, classing it as a "super hit".

"Double Dhamaal" was assessed as "above average" with takings of 452.1 million rupees in four weeks, according to the site.

"Singham", a crime drama starring Ajay Devgn, has had rave reviews since it came out last week and is also expected to do well.

"We've never had it so good. We've never had four successes back to back," said trade analyst Komal Nahta, referring to "Ready", "Double Dhamaal", "Murder 2" and "Zindagi".

"They were good films. There weren't too many releases in March or April but thereafter 'Ready' worked and the other films worked," Nahta, who writes for India's biggest film trade journal, Film Information, told AFP.

"When the World Cup and IPL were on there wasn't much filmed entertainment, so there was a hunger for films and people rushed to the cinemas."

The Indian releases had been expected to suffer as they hit screens around the same time as the last instalment of the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" and the latest "Transformers" movie.

The boxofficeindia.com site said that first-week takings for the English version of the final Potter movie were 102.6 million rupees and 61.4 million in Hindi, as of Wednesday.

The English version of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" had taken 125.3 million rupees and 49.6 million rupees in Hindi in three weeks, it added.

The results were more positive news for the Indian film industry, which has seen overall revenues fall 20 per cent in the past three years from US$2.3 billion in 2008 to US$1.85 billion in 2010.

Domestic box office revenues still contribute 75 per cent of an Indian film's earnings, according to research by KPMG.

Poor quality content, rising overheads, the global economic crisis and an increase in other ways for people to spend their spare time have all been blamed for the downturn.

Vinod Mirani, another industry analyst, said the recent successes proved that good films would work no matter what.

"It's as simple as that," he added.

All eyes are now turned to the next big release, "Aarakshan" (Reservation), starring Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, on August 12.

The film has already proved controversial as it tackles the sensitive issue of reserving posts in the government and education sector based on caste.

Nahta said concerns expressed by political groups representing low-caste Hindus were unlikely to harm the movie.

"In fact, controversy more often than not helps a film," he added. — AFP/Relaxnews

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Beyoncé to create new video using fans’ wedding and prom photos

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 09:46 PM PDT

Screenshot from Beyoncé's video for "Best Thing I Never Had" — Courtesy of YouTube

LOS ANGELES, July 31 — Want to be in a Beyoncé video? On July 28, the pop star announced plans to create an alternative music video for her new single "Best Thing I Never Had", from her latest album, 4, using photos and video from fans.

The singer has asked fans to send in video footage or photos from their own weddings or prom experiences, which she will include in a new version of the video.

To take part, upload your clips to YouTube or photos to Flickr and tag them with #BeyonceBestThing before August 12.

Beyoncé will select her top picks to be included in the new video, which is scheduled to be unveiled in September.

Her fourth solo album, 4, released on June 27, has reached number one on album charts in nine countries, including the US and UK.

Beyoncé has won 13 Grammy Awards as a solo artist and three as a member of her former girl group Destiny's Child. She has sold a reported 75 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling musicians of all time. — afprelaxnews.com

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The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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Scientology book author reveals church’s inner workings

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 08:13 AM PDT

[unable to retrieve full-text content]LOS ANGELES, July 31 — Scientology operates more as a business than as a church, relying on techniques perfected by car salesmen to attract new members and celebrities to its rolls. That’s just one of the takeaways from Janet Reitman’s controversial book about the world’s most controversial and secretive religion. “Inside Scientology” chronicles ...


Cambodia’s ‘orphan tourism’ sparks concern

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 01:34 AM PDT

[unable to retrieve full-text content]SIEM REAP, July 31 — Pictures of hundreds of former volunteers line the walls of a muddy courtyard in Cambodia’s tourist hub of Siem Reap, their faces once familiar to the orphans playing there but now long gone. The colourful gallery at the Acodo orphanage illustrates a growing trend of holidaymakers donating their time and skills to children in ...


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The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

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Jenazah Seniman Negara Syed Ahmad selamat dikebumi

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 02:31 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Julai — Jenazah Seniman Negara Datuk Syed Ahmad Syed Jamal, 82, yang meninggal dunia malam tadi, selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Kampung Sungai Pusu, Gombak, di sini pada pukul 11.30 pagi tadi.

Syed Ahmad, yang menerima anugerah Hadiah Seni Negara pada 1995 dan pelbagai hadiah lain sepanjang penglibatan beliau dalam seni visual, meninggal dunia di kediamannya di Gombak kira-kira pukul 10 malam.

Beliau meninggalkan isteri Datin Halimah Mohd Noor, 69, dan dua anak lelaki iaitu Syed Nurlhaq, 35, dan Syed Nabil, 39.

Ketika ditemui pemberita, Halimah berharap usaha Allahyarham suaminya untuk menaikkan martabat seni negara dapat diteruskan pelbagai pihak.

"Arwah telah mengutarakan banyak cadangan kepada kerajaan serta pihak lain dalam usaha ikhlas arwah naikkan martabat seni negara . . . harap cadangan ini dapat dilaksanakan," katanya dipetik Bernama Online.

Beliau berkata seni yang dihasilkan Allahyarham sepanjang hidupnya juga diharap menjadi pemangkin bagi generasi muda di negara ini untuk terus berkarya demi membawa seni ke tahap tertinggi.

Anak bongsu Allahyarham, Syed Nurlhaq, pula berkata bapanya meninggal dunia akibat sakit tua.

Sementara itu, Ketua Pengarah Balai Seni Lukis Negara Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad yang turut menziarahi jenazah Allahyarham berkata pemergian Syed Ahmad merupakan satu kehilangan besar dalam bidang seni lukis di negara ini.

"Arwah merupakan seorang seniman prolifik dalam seni lukis di negara ini, beliau pergi meninggalkan satu legasi dan hasil karya beliau amat diminati dan dicari-cari pegumpul seni lukis di dalam dan luar negara," katanya.

Beliau berkata kali terakhir Allahyarham bekerjasama dengan Balai Seni Lukis Negara ialah dua tahun lepas untuk menjayakan pameran retrospektif yang mempamerkan lukisan dengan susunan perjalanan seni beliau.

Mohd Yusof berkata Balai Seni Lukis Negara amat berbangga menyimpan karya Syed Ahmad dan menganggapnya satu amanah bagi memastikan karya Allahyarham dapat dinikmati generasi akan datang.

Pensyarah UiTM Profesor Madya Jailani Hassan pula berkata Allahyarham merupakan 'bapa' kepada semua penggiat seni lukis muda di negara ini.

"Arwah amat mengambil berat tentang generasi kami . . . arwah ini penyambung antara penggiat seni lukis generasi terdahulu dengan generasi kita sekarang, arwah adalah mentor saya dan mentor generasi sekarang," katanya yang bertemu Syed Ahmad buat kali terakhir pada tiga hari lepas.

Rakan karib Allahyarham, Raja Ahmad Aminullah berkata kali terakhir mereka berjumpa ialah pada minggu lepas, dan seperti biasa, beliau dan Syed Ahmad berbincang isu mengenai seni budaya di negara ini.

"Arwah merupakan seorang yang begitu ghairah dalam hal berkaitan seni di negara ini, arwah selalu memberi pandangan yang mampu memberi manafaat kepada masyarakat, arwah juga seorang yang sanggup bersama susah dan senang dengan kawannya," katanya yang juga Pengarah Galeri RA Fine Arts.

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Putrajaya hadapi cabaran jurang ekonomi antara kelas, kata menteri

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 12:23 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Julai — Putrajaya mengakui ketidaksamaan ekonomi antara pelbagai kelas sosial dengan Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yackop berkata, ia menjadi halangan untuk menyelesaikan masalah itu termasuk di kalangan kaum yang sama.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri itu berkata sementara pentadbiran Najib berusaha "mengurangkan" jurang pendapatan antara pelbagai kaum, ia masih belum dapat menyelesaikan perbezaan ekonomi antara kaum.

"Walaupun kami berjaya mengurangkan ketaksamaan antara kaum, namun masih terdapat jurang antara kaum itu sendiri," katanya pada satu program dialog anjuran Pemimpin Mahasiswa Malaysia Summit (MSLS).

Nor Mohamed (gambar) yang bertanggungjawab dalam Unit Perancang Ekonomi (UPE) juga berkata, dasar kuota Bumiputera masih lagi diperlukan.

"Ia satu falsafah moral... kerajaan mempunyai tanggungjawab untuk membawa semua orang ke titik permulaan. Setiap kelemahan yang ada memberi satu peluang untuk kembali ke asal.

"Sebaik sahaja anda mendapat mereka untuk ke titik permulaan, persaingan akan diteruskan," katanya.

MENYUSUL LAGI

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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Najib mencari ‘Talian Hayat’

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 07:03 PM PDT

31 JULAI — Bila penulis menerbitkan satu makalah "General Election in July, folks!" pada 20 Mei lalu, ia bukan bertujuan untuk 'spin'. Mengimbas kembali, itulah ruang tarikh atau 'window' paling wajar menyerang-hendap atau 'ambush' Pakatan Rakyat. Pengumuman pembubaran parlimen  boleh menjadikan perhimpunan Aman Bersih 2.0, 9-Julai lalu di satu kedudukan yang sukar diberikan tumpuan oleh penganjur. Lebih parah lagi bagi parti-parti politik yang dalam 'panic mode'. Najib gagal.

Malang buat Umno-BN, Perdana Menteri Najib tidak sehebat pendahulunya. Najib kini sudah kehilangan jendela atau 'window' paling strategiknya. Sebaliknya, tidak keterlaluan kalau penulis nyatakan bahawa Najib mungkin sahaja akan kehilangan peluang untuk memimpin dalam perang PRU k-13 ini! Maksudnya, penulis meramalkan Najib akan disingkir sebagai Presiden Umno sekaligus Pengerusi BN sebelum PRU ke-13,.

Begitu sekali? Ya, demi menyelamatkan Umno-BN, Najib akan bakal diketepikan. Sejarah akan berulang. Tun terpaksa diketepikan Umno untuk menyelamatkan parti Melayu itu, sebab telah menjadi 'liabiliti' terbesar perjuangan parti mereka. Ternyata strategi itu berbisa dan mengena. Pak Lah menang besar dalam PRU ke-11, April, 2004 itu, bahkan antara terbesar dalam sejarah politik pilihanraya Umno.

Kini Umno sedang menghitung opsyen atau pilihan strategik yang sama. Bezanya Tun diketepikan setelah terlalu lama memimpin; 22 tahun. Najib baru sahaja masuk tahun ketiganya. Najib pun belum pernah menang pilihanraya umum yang dikemudinya sendiri. Besar harapan Najib untuk membuktikan kepemimpinannya.

Mungkin sahaja itu akan tinggal cita-cita. Dia semacam akan tersungkur di garis permulaan tampaknya. Dia sedang menemui ' su'ul khatimah' atau 'kesudahan buruk' dalam kerjaya politiknya. Bagi seorang ahli politik tambahan calon negarawan, kesudahan seperti itu amat mengaibkan dan mengerikan sekali.

Mengapa Umno terpaksa singkirkan Najib?

Sebabnya banyak dan terus menonjol. Pendeknya (bukan 'pendek kata'), Najib telah menjadi 'liabiliti paling besar' buat Umno diambang PRU ke-13 ini. Dia telah menjadi seumpama Tun dalam masa yang jauh lebih singkat. Bagi sebuah parti, yang penting ialah survival atau kesinambungan hidup parti untuk terus berkuasa. Pemimpin boleh datang dan pergi. Tak ada siapa yang akan kekal. Tapi parti dan 'perjuangan' mesti dipertahankan, walau apapun. Mungkin  'mantra' atau 'maxim' ini umum dan berkuatkuasa untuk semua. Tempoh tiga tahun ini menyaksikan Najib berusaha keras membuktikan bahawa beliau punya wibawa dan wawasan. Beliau tidak lengah untuk meyakinkan rakyat dan pengundi. Tahap sokongan atau 'approval rating' beliau, mengikut dapatan beberapa pusat kajian polls, menunjukkan peningkatan pada peringkat awalnya menjadi PM. Najib telah cuba buktikan bahawa beliau peka kepada soalan 'pandangan awam' atau 'public opinion' sehingga sanggup mengungkpakan bahawa 'Era kerajaan tahu semua telah berlalu". Ketika itu kononnya beliau sanggup mendengar rakyat.

Najib cuba perbaikki imej partinya yang tercalar kerana terlalu angkuh pra PRU ke-12 dengan mantranya "Rakyat di dahulukan dan prestasi diutamakan'. Kesemua itu adalah cubaan gigih Najib untuk baikpulih 'persepsi' terhadap partinya. Najib juga cuba mendekati dan melayani warga 'netizen' dan golongan muda dalam media baru- facebook dan twitter dan berinteraksi secara maya dan 'engaged' secara langsung juga dengan mereka.

Justeru, tidak hairan Najib masih boleh memenangi beberapa pilihanraya kecil sehingga keputusan mutakhir terikat pada kedudukan seri 8-8 sejak selepas PRU ke-12.

Namun amat malang bagi Najib, semakin ghairah beliau membuktikan kepimpinannya, semakin menyerlahkan kelemahan sebenar dirinya, samada pada rakyat atau pengundi dan lebih parah lagi kepada pendukung setia dan 'warlords' partinya sendiri, Umno.

Mutakhir ini, 'tahap sokongan' atau 'approval  rating' terus merosot berbanding sedikit waktu dahulu. Tiga tahun adalah lama dalam politik. Pelbagai pergolakan politik nasional, pertentangan agama dan pertelingkahan atas garis ras atau kaum, kemelut rasuah, ketirisan serta kebocoron dalam pengurusan kewangan dan pembangunan Negara, semua menyerlahkan kepemimpinan Najib sebenarnya. Najib seharusnya sedar, tetapi beliau tidak begitu. Beliau semacam dirasuk sindrom penafian.

Samada isu nama Allah, isu kepala lembu atau babi hutan. serangan terhadap rumah ibadat, Interlok, PPSMI, GMI, rampasan negeri Perak dan pelbagai lagi perilakunya dalam beberapa PRK khususnya di Sibu, Serawak dan Hulu Selangor, telah pun menyelak hakikat sebenar 'dirinya'. Beliau 'reckless' atau tidak punya 'jatidiri politik' yang wajar disanjungi seumpama bapanya, seorang negarawan.

Sebaliknya kata-kata tidak cermat, seperti 'you help me dan I help u' memperkuhkan pelbagai amalan buruk dalam rasuah politik pilihanraya. Memberi kedudukan tinggi orang yang sabit rasuah sementara dia mahu perang rasuah. Dia sinonim dengan tabiat flip-flop, satu ciri yang tidak membuktikan ketegasan. Beliau hanya mahu 'sokongan' semua.

Kini Najib berdepan pelbagai ujian getir. Rakyat dan pengundi terus menilai sementara partinya terus cemas serta rimas dengan prestasi Najib dan mutakhir ini gelagat buruk dan perilaku 'first ladynya' . Ia memburukkan lagi peluang Najib. Berbelanja besar dan 'taste' atau selera hyper-mewah berlawanan dengan anjuran menyuruh rakyat bercermat. RM4.5 juta menganjur Persidangan Wanita Pertama Dunia yang dihadiri 14 wanita pertama kebanyakan dari Negara Afrika bukan satu yang wajar dalam 13 tahun bajet defisit yang ditanggung kerajaan BN.

Beg tangan, gelang tangan mewah dan cincin belian didakwa RM24 juta yang ada hubungkait dengan FLOM itu amat tidak disenangi rakyat yang dianjurkan berjimat dalam mendepani himpitan kos saran hidup yang tinggi. Perbelanjaan besar rumah kediaman PM dan TPM juga dipandang cukup jelek oleh rakyat. Pertikaian pelbagai pihak tentang  'entourage' keluar Negara seperti urusan  pra-pertunangan di Kazakhstan masih menantikan pertanggungjawaban secara telus dan amanah.

Najib kini kehilangan 'goodwill'nya atau 'sangka baik' dan 'hormat' rakyat pada dirinya. Ini petanda buruk  bagi seorang pemimpin, khususnya ketua sesebuah kerajaan.

Bersih 2.0 pula  terus menyerlahkan kepimpinan buruk Najib dan kegagalan beliau menangani cabaran Politik Baru. Kini rakyat-pengundi yang  mengalami pencerahaan minda dan kemerdekaan jiwa serta punya keberanian menyatakan segala yang salah yang dilakukan orang politik dan parti-parti politik samada kerajaan atau pembangkang. Najib gagal mendepani tuntutan dan melayani desakan masyarakat sivil sekaligus meletakkan persepsi negatif terhadap diri dan kerajaannya yang semacam mahu terus melindungi yang 'kotor' dalam sistem pilihanraya. Ini termasuk hal kekotoran dalam daftar pemilih dan mengundi lebih sekali. Isu dakwat kekal lawan kaedah biometric akan terus menjadi polimik tajam. Najib gagal menangani isu semudah ini. Ataukah beliau mahu menyerlahkan niat jahat kerajaannya?

Kezaliman dan tindakan ganas pihak PDRM terhadap peserta Bersih 2.0 satu hal yang menunjukkan bahawa Najib dan menteri-menteri gagal memahami bagaimana mendahulukan rakyat dan faham bahawa 'era kerajaan tahu semua sudah berlalu'. Najib mendapat liputan buruk media dalam dan luar Negara, termasuk kritikan dari pimpinan politik dalam partinya seperti Saifudin Abdullah dan Khairy Jamaludin., Kedua-dua tokoh pemimpin muda Umno. Mungkin ramai yang takut bersuara.

Tidak pernah disaksikan betapa masyarakat 'netizen' media sosial memarahi pemimpin parti politik seteruk kali ini. Tetapi dengan Najib ini, selepas Bersih 2.0, lebih 200,000 warga sebuah facebook menuntut Najib berundur segera. Ini cukup menyiksakan seorang pemimpin!

Semacam tidak memahami realiti akar umbi, Najib terus membuka pelbagai 'front' memerangi rakyat-pengundi yang sepatutnya dimenangi hati-budi mereka. Umno-BN terus memerhatikan Najib yang bertindak 'sumbang' mungkin dengan nasihat pelbagai firma 'consulting'nya termasuk APCO, yang tidak tahu waqi' atau realiti politik Negara dan salur-galur psiki orang Melayu, kaum Cina-India dan ratusan etnik dari sabah dan Sarawak.

Najib wajar melebarkan lingkungan kawan dan memperkcilkan lawan. Perilaku mencetuskan kesan sebaliknya. Najib tidak tahu bahawa beliau punya musuh dalam selimut. Najib melalui sepupunya Hishamuddin menahan 6 pemimpin Parti Sosialis Malaysia, yang hari ini dinobat sebagai PSM06 atau EO6. Dr Jeyakumar, MP Sg Siput yang juga ditangkap telah memulakan mogok laparnya. Atas tekanan rakyat, penulis meramalkan mereka akan di bebaskan. (Telah pun).

Najib mengundang amarah kaum India, yang sokongan mereka belum pasti akan kembali kepada BN. Menteri Sumber Manusia dari MIC dan Presiden telah 'broke-rank' lantas mengecam kerajaan Najib atas tahanan di bawah Ordinan Dharurat 1960. Kini seluruh lapisan rakyat sivil dan politik Pakatan bergandingan untuk membebaskan tahanan EO6 ini.

Front perang antarabangsa juga dibuka oleh Najib ketika secara 'terdesak' mengambil tindakan menahan lantas 'mendeport' William Bourdon, peguam hak asasi manusia yang menjadi peguam sebuah NGO, Suara Rakyat Malaysia, SUARAM, yang mengangkat pendakwaan rasuah dalam perolehan kapal selam Scorpene di Mahkamah Perancis.

Peguam yang datang untuk berucap dalam program 'fund raising' Suaram bagi membiayai kes perbicaraan terhadap dakwaan rasuah syarikat Perancis DCNS yang membekalkan kerajaan Malaysia kapal selam scorpene, akhirnya dihantar pulang setelah didakwa melanggari peraturan visa kemasukannya. Sekali lagi rakyat dan dunia memerhatikan apa pulak yang cuba dilindungi Najib kali ini. Kes akan didengari di Mahkamah Perancis pada bulan September tahun ini.

Bermakna Najib kini terpaksa berdepan dengan risiko besar dengan apa yang bakal didedahkan siasatan peguam Suaram ini. Mampukah Najib mengangkis persepsi buruk ini, jika sebutan itu membabitkan orang kepercayaannya? Mampukah Umno menerima dampak buruknya seandai dapat di dedahkan Willaim Bourdon nanti skandal perolehan scorpene tentang siapa antara penerima RM540 juta itu?

Najib terus ditimpa nasib malang kerana mantra keramat "1-Malaysia" nya pada awalnya adalah memenangi pengundi kaum Cina dan India yang telah menyokong pembangkang. Ini pendekatan 'inklusif' atau 'keterangkuman'nya. Sedari awal mantra ini kurang disenangi oleh partinya sendiri. Ia dilihat terlalu lunak kepada kaum bukan-Melayu. Mahyuddin sedari awal telah menyanggah dengan beliau bertegas dia Melayu dulu 'Malay first' sesuai dengan slogan 'Hidup Melayu' dan 'Ketuanan Melayu' yang didukungi Umno sejak azali.

Pelbagai pendekatan 'inklusif' Najib tidak di'kongsi' oleh partinya dan Perkasa digunakan oleh 'warlords' Umno seperti Tun Malhathir untuk membantah segala program Najib termasuk agihan projek MRT dan pelbagai lagi yang dilihat terlalu "1-Malaysia". Seawalnya Perkasa mahu mengheret Najib sebagai bertindak bertentangan dengan peruntukan Perlembagaan Persekutuan Perkara 153 dsbnya.

Kini Najib bukan sahaja dilihat gagal membaikpulih ekonomi dengan segala program transformasinya bermula NKRA, NKEA, SRI, Model Ekonomi Baru (NEM), ETP dan EPP, tetapi ditanggapi 'warlord' partinya sendiri sebagai menghakis 'penguasaan politik' dan 'kedudukan ekonomi' orang Melayu. Penubuhan Teraju, penghapusan Suruhanjaya Peluang Saksama (EOC) dan pelbagai tindakan bolak-balik dan 'patah-balik' tidak dapat merawat 'kemarahan warlords' partinya sendiri. Hakikat tentangan dari dalam ini tidak mudah Najib tangani. Ia lebih menusuk jiwanya dari serangan Pakatan Rakyat dan masyarakat sivil.

Mutakhir ini dan sedikit berlain adalah penubuhan Angkatan Amanah Rakyat (Amanah) oleh Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah dan kawan-kawanya. Ia tidak boleh dipandang mudah oleh Najib. Mereka bukan parti pembangkang dan bukan juga 62 NGOs yang menubuhkan Bersih 2.0. Mereka adalah ahli Umno dan BN, sebahagian besar adalah pemimpin atau mantan pemimpin Umno-BN dan berjawatan dalam kerajaan seperti Kadir Sheikh Fadzil, Syed Hamid Albar, Osu Sukam dan dari MCA seperti Ong Tee Keat. Penentangan mereka adalah atas dasar menentang "korupsi, kronisme dan krisis perkauman" yang membarah dan endemik  dalam Umno dan BN.

Mereka juga mahu menjadi kuasa ketiga dan sanggup menentang Najib. Apakah mereka bersedia untuk bersama Pakatan dalam satu "Grand Coalition" untuk menjatuhkan kuasa Najib dan Umno-BN? Apakah 'game-plan' atau strategi Ku Li. Tidak jelas sehingga kini. Yang jelasnya mereka sangat marah kepada Najib yang dilhat gagal mengeluarkan Negara dari segala macam krisis yang mereka juga adalah sebahagian darinya satu masa dahulu.

Di persimpangan kritikal ini, Najib semacam keseorangan. Yang jelasnya menyokongnya ialah Rosmah. Kalau cepat dilakukan PRU ke-13, ramai yang mahu terus bertanding akan terus terpaksa bersamanya. Sebabnya dalam tradisi Umno, Presiden menentukan calon-calon. Tetapi kalau lambat, tak siapa pun takut dan segan kepada Najib. Dan masa tidak menyebelahinya. Kalau mahu tunggu lepas Bajet, yakni bulan Oktober-November, skandal Scorpene menghantuinya. Kalau mahu tunggu tahun depan Mac-April, pemilihan partinya menjadi Najib lebih gusar dan gundah gulana.

Di persimpangan ini, kombinasi fraksi 3-M – Mahyuddin, Mukhriz dan Mahathir, dikatakan tidak akan duduk sahaja untuk menyaksikan partinya mereka punah kerana gelagat Najib-Rosmah. Usaha Najib mengembalikan sokongan kaum Cina-India disaksikan sebagai gagal. Umno mungkin sahaja memikirkan supaya jangan buang masa dengan kelompok kaum ini.

Apakah Mahyudin-Mukhriz-Mahathir akan merancang manjtauhkan Najib bagi mempastikan Umno berpeluang untuk terus menguasai kepimpinan Negara? Mampukah fraksi 3-M ini mengekalkan sokongan kaum Cina dan India yang cuba dimenangi Najib? Tentunya tidak. Mampukah Umno bertahan dengan hanya sokongan Melayu yang juga terbelah dua?  Apakah mereka ini disokong fraksi Amanah Ku Li?

Umno jelas di kedudukan yang paling parah sejak pasca PRUke-12. Mereka masih belum mendapat sentuhan strategi keramat lagi. Apakah Najib-Rosmah akan terpaksa dikambinghitamkan bagi memberi talain hayat kepada parti Melayu tertua di dunia ini?

Najib terus mencari tallian hayatnya untuk kekal bernafas di Putrajaya.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

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The writing (or decorations) is on the wall

Posted: 30 Jul 2011 06:13 PM PDT

Jalan To Kong (Temple Street), Malacca: there are three places of worship along this road; the Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi temple (fore-ground), the Kampong Kling Mosque (with the minaret) and at the far end the Cheng Hoon Teng temple. The early multi-ethnic and multi-cultural communities' living shoulder to shoulder with to each other is reflected in the way they built their places of worship. All photos by Victor Chin.

JULY 31 — As the legend goes, Malacca was founded by Parameswara, the fugitive with his group fleeing from Singapore, about 500 years ago. Later he went on to establish the first Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century.

At that time Malacca was a natural port that sheltered the sailors from the north-east and south-west monsoons in this region. The monsoons were one of the keys to the success of Malacca as a trading port in the early sailing years. The winds brought the Arabs, Indians and then the Europeans from the West and the Javanese, Bugis and Chinese from the East.

As years went by, due to its increasing strategic and commercial importance, Malacca became a battle ground as the colonial world powers and the local warlords fought to control it.

But despite all the wars and violence in the waters of the Malacca Straits, many of the early sailors, traders, pirates, warriors and labourers of various races established their new homes in Malacca.

Jalan Hang Jebat, Malacca. This street has many fine examples of the Nyonya style architecture and auspicious ornamental facades built in the early part of the 20th century. This group of wealthy Malaccans displayed their financial position and social status openly.

This street has many fine examples of the Nyonya style architecture and auspicious ornamental facades built in the early part of the 20th century. This group of wealthy Malaccans displayed their financial position and social status openly.

By the early 20th century, many Chinese had settled and set up homes in Malacca. Some of the Chinese merchants had become very wealthy doing business with the colonial powers.

One group in particular, calling themselves the Baba Nyonya or Peranakan, became millionaires and they all strived to build houses that symbolised their newfound wealth.

This group kept their Chinese religious and cultural beliefs and customs but remixed their language, food, dressing, music and dance with the local Malays, Portuguese and English.

Their deep Chinese roots meant a heritage full of myths, legends and stories. Many of them continued to practise their religious customs and rituals. The rich among them built impressive buildings and adorned their facades with auspicious shapes, images and symbols. The poorer families made do with items made of paper and ink which they stuck on their walls and doors. 

No 17, Jalan Hang Jebat, Malacca. This is one of my watercolours done in the 1990, from a collection of 64 paintings of the facades of early shophouses in Penang, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. These watercolours were my way of contributing to the documentation and conservation of our architectural heritage.

The dragon and the phoenix are the most popular mythological creatures in Chinese art. There is a pair of colourful flying phoenix, made of broken coloured ceramic tiles, adorning the front of this house, settled in just below the two large semi-circular windows. This fantastic creature is the queen of birds and it symbolises the sun, the heat of summer and the bountiful harvest.

In the middle of this pair of birds is a bouquet of colourful flowers also made of broken coloured ceramic tiles and it signifies a fruitful season. Different flowers represent each of the months of the year and the plum blossom indicates the coming of spring.

This type of common floral arrangement, set in colourful square frames, in different sizes and combination, is repeated in between the windows and the sides. The rest of the facade is painted all over with different floral motifs.

What can these artistic combinations of bird and flower images mean to us today? In the old days these were important symbolic and metaphysical protections for the houseowner and his family and businesses.

But many of these families (and their fortunes) have come and gone. New entrepreneurs have moved in to this touristy part of Malacca.

These new tenants or owners are also concerned about prosperity and wealth but these days they rely more on the steady supply of cheaper products from China, Philippines and Thailand and cheap labour from neighbouring countries.

No.78, Jalan Kampong Pantai, Malacca. This is another one of my watercolours. The Greek-like pediment of this shophouse, constructed 78 years ago, is broken in at the top and standing in the middle of this opening is a statue of the Chinese Goddess of Mercy and she is surrounded by a lotus garden and flowering plants.

This is an exquisite artistic expression of the Baba Nyonya period of the shophouses in Malacca. On this facade, the East and the West come freely together.

The Western root is in the triangular pediment which is from the Greek temples and this architectural form had come through the maritime trade route from Europe. The creative and unknown artists and craftsmen proudly put it on top of the first floor facade of this building with the other European-looking cornices, pilasters, bases and capitals. 

The Chinese builders confidently inserted on top of this Greek temple pediment one of their popular goddesses — the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin. This Buddhist bodhisattva has a long history which includes Roman and Indian legacies but when it reached ancient China, the Chinese decided to turn it from a male figure into a female one.

Accompanying her in her lotus garden are other flowers, birds, bats, and a pair of lions or unicorn-looking animals. This facade is a classic symbol of the marriage of the different faiths and a trust in the good omens. It's also a uniquely Malaysian architectural heritage.

Although all this artistic imagination, still on ago old walls, had a metaphysical origin in the past, their aspirations were for the common good; living a life of peace with your neighbours and caring for a sustainable harvest or relationship with Nature are still clearly relevant to us today.

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