Dr. Cheah’s Pages

MACC defiance

A recent court ruling baring MACC from interrogating witnesses after office hours has been met with swift ‘actions’ from MACC. They are now closing their doors at 5.30pm, even to complainants.

They claim it is a court ruling although as I understand it, the ruling applies to interrogation of witnesses. Therefore, they should not be calling in witnesses at odd hours. However, they should still have their doors open at all times.

Obviously, MACC is showing its defiance despite perhaps knowing all too well the intentions of the court ruling.

Malaysia is not serious in tackling corruption

The recent Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index showed how Malaysia has fallen. As our tiny neighbour has successfully fought graft, Malaysia continues to struggle.

If our current Prime Minister himself appear tainted by corruption, how can others trust a nation where the Anti Corruption Commission is under his direct command? If the Government is serious about fighting corruption, then it should allow the MACC greater autonomy by removing it from the confines of the Executive.

This is a simple move but surely a risky one. As evidence mounts against Najib, relinquishing control of the MACC will only expose his darkest secrets.

Until and unless, the MACC is removed from the purview of the Prime Minister’s department, the current Government is NOT serious in tackling corruption in Malaysia. It is that plain obvious.

MCA at war

War cries from LTL after Chew Mei Fun and Wee Ka Siong together with his other supporters were axed from the Presidential Council. It was a brave move from OTK, considering that they are both Wanita and Youth heads respectively. They also command a large fan base among both members and non-members of MCA.

In defense, OTK insists that this is a routine reshuffling and not a purging of enemies. Of course, we all know that this is not true and the intentions are obvious. This unprecedented move will no doubt drive the wedge deeper into MCA.

Can OTK afford to lose both his Wanita and Youth heads? Is he alienating these two massive wings of MCA? Unless he believes that he has enough support within the ranks of these two wings to unseat the current leaders. Can appointing their deputies ensure that the support from the wings?

Whatever said and done, such actions may lead to MCA losing at least a third of their members. I can forsee mass resignations or even defections if OTK does not do enough to remedy the situation.

OTK has in effect replaced his youthful team with a bunch of previous stalwarts like Loke Yuen Yow. As it stands now, LTL is in an untenable position in a committee that may force his resignation in the near future.

War cries are aplenty within MCA. It is at a breaking point.

Wolf in sheep’s clothing?

Internet freedom was a topic that Obama decided to tackle during his conversation with Chinese students in Shanghai. His message was veiled but clear enough to penetrate through the ranks of the Communist Party. Many favourite American websites like Twitter and Facebook has been barred in China although the number of Chinese websites have mushroomed. If Americans could read Chinese, many will find that these websites are very ingenious and certainly could rival American inventions. So why are the Chinese so sceptical about Facebook or Twitter? Are they afraid of capitalist indoctrination?

Perhaps during times of relative peace, the internet is seen as rather benign. However for a superpower like China, American intentions are always seen with scepticism. Computers are a great invention, but almost all computers are controlled by American softwares like Microsoft and Apple. Much of their programming codes are shrouded in secrecy and many are not aware if spywares are perhaps part of the purchase. I am confident that if one delves into the files of the FBI or Secret Service, one will unravel a disturbing truth that the United States will try hard to deny.

It is easy to install spywares into a system. Our Windows for example, is perpetually communicating with the Microsoft servers for updates which many of us are unaware of. So spying on another Government’s activities is easy when most of their computers are running Windows.

Take me to task that this is not happening.

So surely, it is in the American’s interests that internet be free. Until we get a truly transparent operating system, for example Linux, to run the world’s computers, then and only then can many countries view the internet with more optimism.

A new beginning

The end of the year is near, a time where many will start reflecting on the past year and looking ahead for a fresh new start. The number of long weekends in December is a record. Bookings for hotels are almost impossible for the late planners, like myself.

Next year will be a year like never before. Many will say that expecting a child means getting your wings clipped, for the next few years! In many ways, I still feel ill prepared to usher in a new life. Imagine having your sleep disturbed by wails and getting your hands dirty with poop! The thought of having to plan everything with the baby in mind can be unsettling. For once, you have to put your own plans on hold, and soon realise that control is beginning to slip from your grasp.

My resolution at least for now is to get a healthy baby. Knowing the fact that a million things can go wrong is certainly not helpful.

However, the joy of seeing a child, of your own, is indescribable. The true miracles of nature starts to unfold in front of your very eyes. The disbelief that this new life was created by your actions makes the experience so surreal.

You will soon start to realise that life will no longer evolve around you but that of the new life. The energy and finance will soon be invested into this ‘unknown’ entity.

Indeed life will be different this coming year.