Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
This is a slide show on the Malaysian Army. You can see some training being conducted. Some of the latest equipment on display. 155 self propelled guns and multiple launch rocket systems. It is accompanied by martial music.
"DREAM COME TRUE": Captain Tunku Ismail Ibrahim leads a mounted column of the Jaipur-based 61st Cavalry at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Friday.
New Delhi: It was a proud moment for Captain Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, grandson of the Sultan of Johor, when he saluted President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, leading the mounted column of the Jaipur-based 61st Cavalry at the Republic Day parade on Friday.
"To salute the President is such a great honour. I could not believe if it was in real," said an elated Ibrahim, the first foreigner to lead a unit of the Army contingent.
Thrilled at the opportunity, the young Malaysian prince, who was commissioned in the Army two years ago after passing out from the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehra Dun, told a private TV channel that it was like a "dream come true."
"It is a family tradition to get trained in the forces. My grandfather was trained in the Malaysian Army. My father, the Crown Prince of Johor, received training in the U.S.," said Ibrahim, the first member of his family to join the Indian Army.
"It is a great honour to be part of such a great Army and to take part in the national event," the Captain added.
Asked to compare life in Malaysia with that in India, he pointed out that they (his brothers back in Malaysia) were more "free and do not have much restrictions."
"As a result, they can focus on the responsibilities and have free time as well unlike me," said Ibrahim, one of the most talked about `star' of the parade.
He explained: "I have added responsibilities but being trained in the Indian Army, I have learnt to take it as a challenge." — PTI. Source-The Hindu
By John Brenchley (Son of 19034875 – Sgt. E.J. BRENCHLEY 4TH Hussars)
Who, when serving in Malaya at the end of 1948, can say that they did not hear of the 4th Hussars ambush on the 31st December 1948. From Kedah in the north to Jahore in the south. Ripples radiated out from Sungei Siput.
Many books on the Malaya Emergency have been written, some with the detail of the 4 Troop A Squadron included, some without it. I think it deserves its own place in history. My version of events is as follows…………
On the 31st December 1948, 4 Troop A Squadron 4th Hussars, was sent on a short patrol from Ipoh, north about 20 miles to Sungei Siput and then on up to check out two other roads. The Lintong road and the Jalong road, both ending in dead ends. These roads were about 8 to 10 miles long and passed through a couple of rubber plantations with small villages (kampongs) along the way. The main aim of these and many other patrols was to show the flag to the locals and also show a military presence.
The convoy consisted of the two G.M.C.’s and a 15 cwt open backed truck. Only 19 men went on patrol that day due to sickness and other duties. There were 7 men in the front G.M.C commanded by Lt Questier. In the 15 cwt there were 5 men and the last G.M.C under command of 2 Lt Sutro, consisted of another 7 men. Each vehicle carried a bren gun, and troopers carried small arms of sten guns and rifles.
Grenades were also carried in each vehicle. The last G.M.C also carried a 2-inch mortar. This was not used in the ambush because of the close proximity of the bandits. Lt Questier carried his fathers nickel plated 45 revolver, of the First World War vintage. All troops were dressed in “jungle greens” with the exception of 2 Lt Sutro, who was still in khaki, as has yet to be kitted out in “jungle greens”. He had only arrived in Malaya on the 20th December 1948. Each vehicle was also equipped with a 19 wireless set. But the range was very limited on the rod aerial, about 10 miles. So a skywave aerial was usually used on most patrols. This consisted of about 15yards of copper wire, which could be attached to the top of a tree or a long pole. Continued here.....
Malaysian Prince To Lead Cavalry Unit At India's Republic Day
Friday, January 26, 2007
This young Malaysian Prince will become someone similar to Tun Hussein Onn, in the way of his thinking. As the late Tun too passed out of Dehra Dun, who believed in the the inaugural address by Sir Philip Chetwode, which was delivered in the hall named after him. His address was a pointed piece of stirring oration and has come to acquire a kind of immortality because a passage from his address has been adopted as the Credo of the Academy. It is indeed a great honour for Malaysia.
"The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time.The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, Always and every time."
Likewise I believe the young Tunku would do the honours. - Edit
GREAT HONOUR… Malaysian prince Tunku Ismail Idris will be the first foreigner to lead India's mounted Jaipur-based cavalry regiment during the colourful Republic Day celebration on Friday. Pix: Zid Omar
By P.Vijian
NEW DELHI, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysian prince Tunku Ismail Idris will be the first foreigner to lead India's mounted Jaipur-based cavalry regiment during the colourful Republic Day celebration this Friday.
Grandson of the Johor Sultan, the 23-year-old prince, who was promoted to captain, will lead the 61st Cavalry Regiment, the first non-Indian chosen by Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to participate in the annual ceremony.
"It is a great honour to lead (the unit) and a wonderful experience which I will cherish all my life," Tunku Ismail told Malaysian reporters at a leading hotel in New Delhi last night, while waiting for his father's arrival from Kuala Lumpur to watch the parade, held under tight security.
In July 2003, the polo enthusiast enrolled as a cadet officer in the Indian Military Academy, which is India's premier military training school located in Dehradun.
"I am proud to represent and being part of the Indian army, it is a great experience," added Tunku Ismail, who was commissioned as a lieutenant in December 2004 and absorbed into the Indian army where he is currently attached.
The prince completed his early education at Sekolah Sri Utama Johor Baharu and Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan St Joseph before pursuing his higher studies in Singapore and Australia and later joined the Indian military academy.
"It is a different world here. It is tough to cope and competitive (to join the army) because everybody in a country of one billion people wants to be in the military, (as) it is a prestige," he said.
Weighing 62kg, the prince will ride his horse for more than 10km in the chilly winter morning but under tremendous security, as the Indian government has marshalled more than 20,000 security personnel to ensure safety, as bombs continue to explode in states like Assam and communal riots rupture peace in IT-haven Bangalore.
During the Republic Day ceremony, since India adopted its republican constitution in 1950, the nation will showcase its military and economic prowess.
Late yesterday evening, the prince's father, Tengku Mahkota Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, arrived in the Indian capital to witness his son in action on Friday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be the chief guest. The source..
These young British lads too have given their best years of their lives so that we Malaysians have a great nation, yet the politicians are taking us downhill. They do not understand honour and service. They preach to others, they are the last to practise what they preach or not at all - Edit
By Major(Rtd) Frank Clark
The instructor was yelling at us again ”your looking for CTs, don’t look at the bloody ground, if you gaze at your f…ing feet you won’t find the CTs and they will get you first. Now look up and stay alert.”
We were picking our way through the jungle. I was an untrained soldier in jungle warfare and was being indoctrinated into the green hell. The jungle training course was for several weeks and I will never forget the humidity, the stench of rotting vegetation, the deprivation of daylight by the greatness of the dark canopy above and its eerie feeling of being enveloped by the gloom
This was my first introduction to the jungle although I was not a raw National Serviceman, just out from UK, poor buggers. At least I had lived rough on the battle field and considered myself a trained solider. In 1944 I had landed in Normandy and had fought throughout the war. Later, posted to Korea theatre where I spent a year of my three years in the Far East before being sent to Malaya for the last two years. Afterwards, I served a further three years tour this time in North Malaya Sub District based originally at Taiping, Perak and later at Prai near RAAF Butterworth and Penang, thus making a total of five years service in the peninsular but this was in the future. Right now I was as inexperienced as the young National Service lads in my squad. We had all just arrived in Malaya and were all greener than the tropical rain forest about us. The terrorist war in Malaya was the National Service Army’s longest and most successful campaign that would leave real life memories of savage victorious jungle fighting for these young conscript soldiers. They earned mine and other regular soldiers respect. Continued here....
When the Japanese invaded Malaya, a plain-faced Eurasian woman named Sybil Kathigasu was living in the town of Ipoh with her doctor-husband, Addon, and their four-year-old daughter, Dawn. The Kathigasus moved into the interior, took up farming, and started a "grow more food'' campaign. After a while the Japanese discovered what else the Kathigasus were doing: a radio in Sybil's bedroom picked up information which was relayed to the guerrillas; wounded resistance fighters and British stragglers were sheltered and given medical treatment in their house.
The Japanese caught and tortured Sybil to extract information about the underground. At one point they tied her to a stake and suspended her daughter Dawn over a blazing fire. Dawn shouted: "Mummy, I love you very much!" In the family code it meant that Dawn would not talk and Sybil must not talk either. The Japanese halted the fire torture in time, but they invented others for Sybil: beating, branding, dripping water. By the time a British captain found her at war's end, her skull, jaw and spine had been broken, her legs temporarily paralyzed.
Sybil Kathigasu was flown to Britain, where the King gave her the George Medal for civilian heroism. Ten operations failed to knit together her broken body. During two years, in & out of British hospitals, she laboriously wrote her story, to be published under her underground code name, "Sab." "The world must know what kind of people these Japanese are," said Sybil. "Already memories are growing short."
She dictated the last 50 pages of her book just before death came. Last week her body was buried in the village cemetery of Lanark, Scotland, far from husband Addon and daughter Dawn, who had been waiting in Malaya for her return. Sybil's epitaph came from Whitehall's Colonial Office: "She was the Edith Cavell of Malaya." The source - Time
In the people's war against Japanese occupation in Malaya, there were also individuals who worked in their own ways to expel the fascists. Ipoh's Eurasian Christian Madam Sybil Kathigasu (1900-1948) was one of them.
Sybil Kathigasu, the wife of Dr. AC Kathigasu as well as grandmother's friend and neighbour, saved the lives of so many poor, sick and persecuted Chinese during the Occupation that her legend became bedtime stories for some grandparents and parents in the Kinta Valley in the 50s, 60s and 70s to bring up their boys and girls as people of brave and upright character like Madam. Continue to Clare Street....
"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons." -Gen. MacArthur At the firing range. Seen in the image are LCpl Aziz spotting for Cpl Ismail Johari, closest is me firing an M16 just before an operation. We were zeroing our rifles just before insertion for "Operations Hentam Galas", our enemies who operated in that area were members of the 10th Regiment of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM). All the members of the UCIS have a red lanyard on the right. They wear a patch with an eagle hoding a dagger in it's claw. They operate in 5 men teams. Everyone is a trained signaller, combat medic, trained in demolitions and other specialities. Click on image to enlarge.
When mainstream comes a calling on the little uns...
Friday, January 19, 2007
.....can't they coin a reasonable rebuttal to counter them. The problem with the mainstream media is they do not like people to think, they want the people to be sheep. So what do they do, when they are losing credibility and trust of the very people they consider sheep, they sue. Well, they are big and mighty, they have the resources and the political might to stomp on little fellas like Jeff Ooi and Rocky Bru. Why are we sliding backwards?
In terms of freedom of the press or free speech. They want to stifle you becoz they are scared that their influence over the "sheep" is waning". They do not want these guys around when the elections come a calling. The image I see in my mind is this David and Goliath image. I do not think they really thought this through, they have been blinded by hate for these two blogger.
Here is a very interesting comment by a person calling himself ktak in the comments section of Jeff Ooi's blog. The images and the comments beside them are from me. The write up I have edited with changes to the spacing and the likes.
Specifically, Jeff Ooi’s blog Screenshots versus the New Straits Times Press’ Berita Harian (BH) and the New Straits Times. The conflict raises important questions about several issues, including :
(a) what a blog is and how it works,
(b) non-professional journalists vs professional journalists, and
(c) freedom of speech and the Internet.
It began with Ooi when he wrote about how Islam Hadhari (that PM Abdullah Badawi has been promoting) and money politics in UMNO did not mix. A visitor to the blog calling himself 'Anwar' then posted a comment describing the combination in more graphic and derogatory terms.
This is the image, what most people would view in their minds.
Berita Harian gets into the act.
The issue became mainstream press fodder when BH filed a story on it, suggesting that Ooi was out of line and was disrespectful to Islam.
In his response, Ooi said the paper did a poor journalistic job because it
(a) did not seek to try to get his side of the story,
(b) ignored his rebuke of 'Anwar’s' remark,
(c) did not know that he (Ooi) had barred 'Anwar' from further postings on his blog, and
(d) did not really know how blogs work.
Many bloggers, I believe, hope that the end result would be like this........
The facts appeared to be on Ooi’s side as he did rebuke 'Anwar' before BH’s story came out. Did BH want Ooi to do more, like taking out 'Anwar’s' posting right away? BH could have raised all that in an interview with Ooi. But it did not get in touch with him for its story. Continued here.....
Lt Col (Rtd) Fathol Zaman Bukhari's take on the border blasts...
"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend." -U.S. Marine Corps I might want to agree with the Colonel on the training part. A pin in a hand grenade is quite difficult to pull out. It's a split pin to hold the grenade's lever in place. It is bent outwards shraply, looks like an extended "V". All soldiers have to conduct live grenade throwing exercises annually. I wonder if they do that anymore?
We can draw several conclusions regarding the grenade incident at the Ban Din Samoe army outpost along the Thai-Malaysia border on Jan 10. Foremost, the level of training the soldiers have undergone. Next, the credibility of those making the accusations, including the officer-in-command. Finally, the propensity of senior army officers making news statements without substance.
Since the armistice between the Malaysian government and the Communist Party of Malaya in December 1989, our troops are located at the border regions primarily to prevent border crossings by smugglers and illicit activities which may jeopardise national security.
The current tense situation in Southern Thailand is a cause for concern as the Thai Army fears Muslim separatists slipping into our territory for safety. Joint-border patrols are a means to keep a tab on such movements.
Soldiers on border duties are equipped with rifles and carry on them a first-line supply of ammunition and anti-personnel grenades. Rifles and grenades are good for close-quarter battle and, therefore, are a must. Poor handling of weapons and grenades can result in accidental discharge which may cause considerable bodily harm, especially when troops are in close proximity with one another.
The incident happened in the morning and four servicemen were wounded.. The two grenades could have exploded when the owners were asleep in their ‘bashas’ (makeshift sleeping bunks). That explains why the four were wounded. What then had prompted them to concoct a story? Fear of retribution. Accidental discharge of firearms is a court-martial offence so an easy way out is to cook up a story. The deputy army chief had made such an impression about a board of inquiry and had promised action against the wrong-doers based on existing procedures. But what is puzzling is that no time frame has been given for the board of inquiry.
Existing procedures demand that all board of inquiry findings be compiled and submitted within 21 days. The incident is of public interest, as it involves the integrity of our neighbouring army. So a ‘no-time frame’ is definitely not the best of options. Letters from Malaysiakini
I guessed right.... probably that the grenade explosions were an accident.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Thai border post blast an accidentSubscription required. Mindef clarifies that an explosion which injured four soldiers at a base near the Thai border was an accident and not the work of intruders. "It was all made up," ministry spokeswoman Fadzlette Othman Merican told AFP.
This was an accident and maybe in the initial report they (the troops) were scared and so they could have created a story to cover up the accident," she said. "We are still investigating the report."
Or it could have been an accident, someone fiddling with a grenadewhile chatting, causing the pin to come out without being aware. Two bloody grenades in an accident, that's indeed strange.
For months the Thai government has been trying to come to grips with the sporadic Communist terrorism along the country's northeast frontier with Laos. Bangkok has devoted less attention to a similar but smaller wave of trouble far to the south, along the thin isthmus of Thailand that forms part of the Malay Peninsula. There, a pattern of forced "tax" collections, Red propaganda leaflets and occasional clashes with police patrols has suggested the presence of a regular second front of Communist guerrillas.
Ambush in the Gorge. The activity stepped up two years ago, when, during the Malaysia-Indonesia confrontation, agents from Indonesia's now-decimated P.K.I. (Communist Party) were dropped into the area to foment a separatist movement among Moslems in southern Thailand and adjacent Malaysia. Though the confrontation has ended, the agitation in Thailand continues. Last year a native Thai Communist movement surfaced in five southern provinces, is today numbered at 300 armed guerrillas and 1,000 sympathizers. Though Thailand and Malaysia have arranged joint operations against Red guerrillas, things have simmered along pretty quietly until this year.
In January, Thai border police fought a gun duel with 57 Communist terrorists. In July, a Thai army unit, sweeping the region's Route 5, reported killing 18 guerrillas and arresting 140 suspects. A few weeks later, a Thai-Malay patrol moving in Land Rovers through a jungle gorge in southern Thailand's Betong district was ambushed, and ten of its 15 members killed. The attack shocked both Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur into action. Fortnight ago, Malaysian Home Minister Ismail bin Dato Abdul Rahman and Thailand's Deputy Defense Minister Dawee Chullasapaya sat down in Bangkok for a series of conferences to strengthen joint cooperation—which was encouraged by another clash in the south last week between a Thai police patrol and five armed Chinese who fled into the bush.
Only Resting? Ironically, the most wanted leader of the terrorists is a Communist who was once awarded the Order of the British Empire. He is a Malay-born Chinese named Chin Peng. Son of a bicycle dealer who emigrated from China's Fukien province, Chin, 44, made the Crown's honors list for guerrilla resistance against the Japanese in World War II, led the Malay contingent in London's victory parade. But in 1948 he launched Malaya's Red "war of liberation" against Britain's colonial regime, which cost nearly 18,000 dead and required 350,000 Commonwealth troops before it was crushed. (London took back his O.B.E.) In 1955, Chin and 600 ragged followers withdrew to southern Thailand, bided their time living in attap (palm leaf) huts.
Apart from extorting an estimated $15,000 a year from local rubber-plantation owners and workers, Chin's gang appeared quiescent for almost a decade, but now is believed to be actively roaming Thailand's four southernmost provinces in league with the native Thai Reds, who operate farther north. In his own propaganda, Chin insists that "we are only resting in Thailand," but few Bangkok officials buy that. Says one: "Chin Peng worries us a little. But we will deal with him." The source.......
Why did this happen? At 5 am in the morning the area would have been pitch dark. If a single grenade was hurled or for that matter 2 hand grenades why would 4 people be injured.
If they were on sentry duty or on "stand to", why would there be 4 injured soldiers. On sentry duty soldiers stand alone in the dark on the alert using their ears to be the major look out, as it is dark. Each individual would be standing in his designated area of responsibility listening.
I guess they were bored and decided to start a conversation, maybe a loud one at that, in the wee hours of the morning. Thus bunching up. Whoever intended them harm would have no problem judging the distance and location, to hurl the grenade to land accurately amongst them. If they were surrounded why were they not reacting. Have they no proper rules of engagement. What the bloody hell is the radio for?
Or it could have been an accident, someone fiddling with a grenade while chatting, causing the pin to come out without being aware. What about this? Patrolling in the wee hours of the morning? In the dark? What is the threat level, for patrols to be conducted at that time? Which is which? Attacked in their post or on patrol?(subscription required)
We do not have the best aircraft in the world nor the most sophisticated battle ship in the world.What we have...had were the best jungle fighting troops in the world? Are we losing that skill? Which no one had the edge over us.
SUNGAI PETANI: Four soldiers were injured in two pre-dawn explosions at a joint security outpost at the Malaysia-Thailand border yesterday. The outpost is situated about 70km from Kem Gubir in Sik district, Kedah.
The injured were Sarjan Mat Nazir Ishak, 34; Lans Korporal Azmi Rashid, 31; Prebet Abdul Razak Wahab, 23, and Prebet Yuzaizi Yusof, 26, all from the 2nd Royal Malay Regiment based in Sungai Ara Camp in Penang. Mat Nazri had shrapnel in his chest while Azmi Mat Nazri had shrapnel in his chest while Azmi was injured in the right thigh, Abdul Razak in the left buttock and Yuzaizi in the left arm. Deputy army chief Leftenan-Jeneral Datuk Mohammad Ismail Jamaluddin said the incident occurred around 5am at the Ban Din Samoe post where a platoon of 20 soldiers were manning it. Continued here...
Continuing Saga of Southern Bank Mastercard.....Part 2...This post will always be on top for a month.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Like I said, they did not bother to call me after promising to do so, on the 29th December 2006. This was after denial of my payment to them.By then I had already wasted a substantial amount of my hard earned money on my phone bills. On the morning of the 30th Decemeber 2006, I called them again, at this number +603-62047777 to which the sickening drone of " Thank you for calling Direct Access, our customer relations officers are currently busy....blah...blah...". At 0919 hrs I managed to get through. An officer by the name of Ms Fauziah answered, she was aware of my predicament. She said that they had received my money and that they got it on the evening of 29th. She was adamant as though I was at fault, that the money was not received on the 27th Dec 2006. The cut off date was the 28th Dec 2006. Maybank confirmed that the fund transferI transacted with Southern Bank on the 27th Dec 2006 @ 0624 hrs was successful.
I asked Ms. Fauziah whether I would be hit with late payment charges. To which she answered that those charges would be waivered. Sounding very generous and big hearted !@#$@#! Why on earth would they waiver the late payment charges? They knew that the game was up and that they were caught with their pants down. They could not impose the late payment charges as the funds were with them long before the due date, they knew they screwed up big time. They just did not want to admit it.
Anyone out there knows of any Bank that generously waives late charges? This is a lesson for the naive, be very careful of Banks, they think that they can ride rough shod over the man on the street. For them we are nobodys. Oh yes, I have always paid my dues on time.
Honestly comfortable with one another. Being transparent. Taking responsibility, not place the blame on their subordinates. Responsible for the lives of their men under their care. Not trying to play the blame game.
Above: Platoon Commanders unwinding, a day before deployment for operations in the Oya-Mukah-Tatau area of Sarawak under RASCOM (Rajang Area Security Command) from left Lt Nasir, Lt Lim Wee Ping, Lt Syed Alwi, Lt D.Swami and Lt Ivan Lee at Camp Ranan in Kanowit. Click on image to enlarge.
It would be a 2 months operation. All the 36 men under their care were the sole responsibility of the Platoon Commanders, screwups by the men fell on the shoulders of the Platoon Commanders, likewise for Company Commanders and Commanding Officers. There is no such thing as " I had given my instructions or I have told him so", one had to ensure all things were done with the minimum of supervison, to the finest detail. There was a saying that there were no bad soldiers, only bad officers.
More so, that same rule applies in the running of our country.
So long as the peaceful Chinese in Malaya sympathize with the Communist guerrillas in the jungle, and even actually help them, peace is something that the sword alone cannot win.
On the Malay Peninsula, which is about the size of Florida, Malays and Chinese are now about equal in numbers (2,500,000 each). But only in Singapore, which is a British Crown Colony, do native-born Chinese have full British citizenship. In the peninsula's eleven other political units (nine of them still ruled by local nabobs under British "protection"), Chinese citizenship is strictly limited. Hoping to lessen this discrimination, the British in 1946 set out to organize the country into a Malayan Union. But the old Malay hierarchies, fearing that the Chinese might outvote them, threatened to revolt. The British compromised on a Federation of Autonomous States in which the Chinese still did not have a franchise.
The situation was readymade for the Communists, whose leaders and guerrillas are almost all Chinese. Today they get direct support from 300,000 immigrant Chinese squatters, and have the tacit sympathy of many Chinese merchants.
Last week the Federal Legislative Council approved a bill offering federal citizenship to 200,000 Chinese residents. This is less than one-tenth of the Chinese population, but it is the first hopeful step towards a wider participation by the Chinese in democratic government in Malaya. The source.
The Ikeya-Seki comet appeared on Indonesia's eastern horizon early one morning last October. From the base of the volcano Agung, navel of creation and home of the Great Gods, the mystic prophets of the island of Bali watched it streak through the sky for ten days and were alarmed. It was an omen, they warned, of much death and change of government in the land.
Left : Suharto
The prophecy was all too accurate. Amid a boiling bloodbath that almost unnoticed took 400,000 lives, Indonesia, the sprawling giant of Southeast Asia, has done a complete about-face. It changed not only its government but its political direction, fundamentally, radically and unexpectedly. President Sukarno, after 20 years of egotistical misrule, has been stripped of almost everything but his palaces and women. A new regime has risen, backed by the army but scrupulously constitutional and commanding vociferous popular support. "Indonesia is a state based on law not on mere power," says its new leader, a quietly determined Javanese general whose only name is Suharto.
Under Suharto, the nation that last year was a virtual Peking satellite has become a vigorous foe of Red China. It has called off its senseless, undeclared war against Malaysia and revived its friendships with other neighbors. It has halted the economy-wrecking prestige projects that Sukarno so dearly loved. And in an orgy of flashing knives and coughing guns, it has virtually wiped out the Partai Komunis Indonesia (P.K.I.) —which under Sukarno had grown to be the third largest Communist Party in the world.
The Yellow Jackets. Last week in Djakarta, the fall of Sukarno was made complete. Gone were the giant billboards that once portrayed him as a people's hero kicking Uncle Sam in the tail. Instead, the city's fences and walls were covered with neatly scrawled slogans such as "Go to Hell, Marxism." Gone were the Communist mobs that had made the U.S. embassy their favorite battleground, gone too the armed youth cadres that had marched daily through Djakarta, singing America, Satan of the World. Demonstrators still surged through the streets, but they wore the yellow jackets of the Anti-Communist Students Action Command, and the song they sang—to the tune of Michael Row the Boat Ashore—was "Sukarno should be pensioned off."
The most dramatic scene of all was in the Moscow-built Bung Karno Sports Palace. There, under the silent, smiling gaze of General Suharto, the Provisional People's Consultative Congress had been in session since the middle of June to put the final seal of legality on the great change. It had already confirmed Suharto's authority to act "on behalf of" Sukarno. Last week, without a dissenting voice, it revoked Sukarno's authority to issue decrees in his own name. It also formally outlawed any form of Marxism, approved Suharto's moves to end the Malaysia conflict and his decision to reapply for membership in such world organizations as the United Nations, which Bung Karno had contemptuously abandoned. Then, in the unkindest cut of all, the Congress stripped the Bung of his lifetime presidency and ordered national elections within two years. Continued here....
When the Federation of Malaya gained its independence and full-fledged membership in the British Commonwealth last August, Prime Minister Tengku (Prince) Abdul Rahman immediately dispatched a message into the jungles (TIME, Sept. 16). Its net: if Communist terrorists still holding out after nine years of costly guerrilla warfare against the British would lay down their arms and forswear Communism, they would get a full pardon. Those unwilling to give up Communism got the offer of free passage with their families to Red China. Rahman gave the rebels until year's end to accept his "final" offer.
With the deadline nearing, Tengku Rahman reported that 122 of the 1,750 remaining rebels had come out of the jungles and surrendered. Encouraged, Rahman extended the amnesty deadline until next April 30, showered 12 million safe-conduct passes into the forests. But he had less success with Chin Peng, 36, Chinese-educated leader of the guerrillas. From his jungle lair across the border in neighboring Thailand, Chin Peng sent word that he would be willing to meet Rahman only to discuss "an end to the war," not a surrender. Snapped the Tengku last week: "Unless and until Chin Peng is willing to surrender, there will be no meeting."
Increasingly confident that he can reduce the rebels to impotency and end Malaya's state of emergency before the state's first anniversary next summer, Prime Minister Rahman considered staging a series of "little armistice" talks in individual rebel villages, prepared to ask Thailand for combined operations against Chin Peng and his men. The source....
Southern Bank Master Card, Denial of Payment and Humiliation
Denial of payment Southern Bank screwed up again. I paid my credit card dues online through Maybank2u, to Southern Bank on the 27th Dec 2006 @ 06.24 am, both for my principal card and my supplementary card (wife's) which amounted to a few thousand ringgit. By right Southern Bank should have received the amount transacted on the same day as the transaction was long before 12.00 pm on that day. I called them on the 28th and asked them on the status of my transaction, they told them they did not receive it. I called them again on the 29th Dec 2006 at 0930 hrs, they said that they had not received it and they had the temerity to suggest that I call Maybank.
I called Maybank, the Customer Care Service People , told me that they have records stating that my money had been transferred to Southern Bank. The Maybank people were very sympathetic to my inquiries. I called Southern Bank again, a Ms. Lin at this number +603-62047777, she responded by saying they had technical glitches. I asked then whether SBB would impose late payment charges, to which she responded that they would call me back. This was around 1050 hrs. I waited for the promised call, nothing happened. I called them again many times, they have this irritating voice mail, "Thank you for calling Direct Access, our customer relations officers are currently busy....blah...blah...I managed to get through at 1246, someone else answered, not Ms Lin, I asked to speak to her. Oh, pardon me she was out for lunch.
Okay fine, I tried again many times and went through the same irritating crap again, could not get through, I decided to have my lunch. Had a quick lunch and dialed Direct Access agin, at precisely 1447 hrs on my watch, I got through. The person who spoke to me did not identify herself, oh, yes she knew who I was. She said that they would call me by today. When I asked whether late payment charges would be imposed, she responded by saying that she would reccommend that those charges would be put aside. Reccommend, indeed !!!$%#% I checked with Maybank, they guaranteed me that my money was already with Southern Bank.
Until now Southern Bank has not called me. My phone bill just went haywire, many thanks to Southern Bank's inefficiency, which I can expect only from Government Departments, calling up so many people to find out what happened to my money. Serves me right too, for continuing to use the same bank, I am a sucker for punishment.
I would like to share another unpleasant experience I had with the Southern Bank Mastercard. This happened to me in the year 2002. It was an humiliating experience, the e-mail below was written to my friends to relate my experience with a copy to the bank. Do not trust a single credit card, in my case the Southern Bank Master Card. I am only posting this, so to let you know.
Humiliation
Wednesday,January 08, 2003 8:40 AM
Hi Guys, Happy New Year everyone ! I wish to relate to you all and share with you all, one of the most embarassing moments of my life, so that it will never happen to you. I have this credit card called Direct Access Master Card from Southern Bank. It is a gold card, with a credit limit of RM15,000/-. I was at Jusco in Ipoh with my family doing some shopping. Oh, before I forget, I assumed I had no outstanding payments to be made to Southern Bank Mastercard. Well, I approached the payment counter with the confidence of a guy who had no debts in this world. The cashier swiped the card into the reader, what came out was 'do not honour'.
I asked her to try again, the same thing appeared. It was a long queue, I actually wished that the floor would swallow me, everyone behind me in the queue was starring at me. My poor wife and kids were practically squirming with embarassment. Lucky for me I was carrying cash, which was just enough to cover my purchases. I called Direct Access on my handphone, they told me that I was outstanding on my payments. I asked them the amount I owed them.
Left : Click on image to enlarge. The one cent can be seen just above the dotted line.
They blocked my credit card, as I owed them the incredible amount of ONE CENT. I of course e-mailed them, asking them, why did they do this to me. Here is an extract of the reply, "The amount would have been the residue interest calculated by the system until you made your final payment". They are not even sure if you note "would have been", in the above sentence. They also had the nerve to use bad English to reply to my queries. "We apologised for the experienced that you had during the usage of the card". At that moment in time, I had never used that credit card. I for sure knew that I did not owe them the 1 cent.
So you know the quality of the people there. It is easy to apologise, but the damage had already been done. Do they really mean the so called 'sorry' sincerely. I for one doubt it. Anyway beware of this bank, the Southern Bank. Do not say I did not warn you.
There is an attachment, showing the amount due letter from Southern Bank, ONE CENT. Please pass this on to your friends
Regards, and I pray it does not happen to you all. Major(Rtd)D.Swami
