Berita baik!
As of yesterday, New Malaysian Essays 1 is now available in selected MPH stores such as MidValley and One Utama. Check it out yawl!
This is my first time dealing directly with the bookstores rather than going through a distributor; I have spent more time in loading bays in the past week than is surely seemly for a bourgeois intellectual – but I kinda like it.
It will NOT be available in: Popular, Times, Borders. I can only stock in those places when I, as publisher, have more titles!
Note to self: Buy one of them loading carts to avoid having to haul up the books, packet by packet.
13 comments:
got this in my email:
There is no point in voting good BN candidates (if there is such a thing). You will see that there are good BN MPs/reps in UMNO/MCA/MIC etc. Politicians with a bit of spine and some principles. But what's the point of voting them when they are overpowered by the hoolligans within their parties?
Good people join BN to change and improve the system, from within. They stand up for the people and are shot down by the party and system. Why waste your votes on them then if they are powerless?
______
S. Sothinathan, MIC (Telok Kemang), was suspended from his deputy minister's position in 2006 for criticising the government policy on the recognition of foreign medical degrees. He felt that the many of the students at the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) in Ukraine, which woudl be derecognised, were Indians and because of this, being a BN component party, the MIC is duty-bound to protect their interest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqGRMvi91yw
Loh Seng Kok, MCA (Kelana Jaya), complained in Parliament about 'imbalanced' history textbooks, new prayer recital guidelines and the problems faced by non-Muslims with regards to places of worship. Six days later, some 50 Umno Youth members, led by Kelana Jaya division chief Abdul Halim Samad, paid him a visit late at night to deliver a "warning letter".
Shahrir Samad, UMNO's conscience, supported an opposition motion (to censure the one eyed Jasin MP), did not receive support from his fellow government backbenchers to condemn the corruption within his own party.
Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat), two BN state assemblymen in Penang abstained from a vote on the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) in 2002. The controversial PORR was proposed by the BN government and vehemently opposed by the opposition. Both were meted "disciplinary action" for not supporting the government, even though they thought that the project would not best serve the interest of Penang.
K. Devamany of MIC (Cameron Highlands) had said the fact that 50,000 people showed up at the Nov 25 2007 Hindraf protest showed the Government's failure in distributing wealth equally. Trying to highlight the seriousness of this issue, he was strongly condemned by his BN colleagues.
Zaid Ibrahim, UMNO's conscience, has been dropped from this election. This former Kota Bharu MP was one of the first UMNO politicians to publicly demand the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry into the Linggam tape. This same man has been very public and vocal about the rotting state of the judiciary and rule of law. Zaid also led a campaign to reelect Shahrir Samad, fellow UMNO conscience, as the backbencher's club chairperson after the one eyed MP incident. He didn't succeed.
http://www.bakrimusa.com/archives/a-gemstone-among-pebbles
These BN politicians are fighting for the people, and they are being defeated by their own party. If they can't criticise the government, they can't stand up for you.
Please read about the whip in parliament
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Whip_(Malaysia)
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Meanwhile the spineless:
Shahrizat Jalil, Women, Family and Community Minister of UMNO (Lembah Pantai), on the passing of the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2005 which undermines the status of Muslim women and the family institution said this first:
The uproar over this issue is symptomatic of the real problems affecting Muslim women in the country. Let this be a lesson to all concerned to not trivialise issues involving the rights of women. (Dec 23, 2005)
She then went on to say that her ministry had earlier objected to almost all the clauses of the Bill, which discriminated against women (Dec 25, 2005).
She later went on to vote to support the bill.
____
And some quotes by BN and non-BN politicians. Self explanatory:
UMNO has now become completely paralyzed.
Dr. Mahathir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sXdc8gHrmQ
... it's an opposition motion and we usually reject their motions.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, The Star 5 May 2006
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/5/5/nation/20060505075251&sec=nation
Our principle is that BNBBC will not support the opposition.
BNBBC Deputy Chairman Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar, Bernama 5 May 2006
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=195453
Based on our policy and practice, the BN elected representatives cannot support a motion tabled by the Opposition... under whatever circumstances, they should not have supported a motion from the Opposition.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who is also BN Chief Whip, The Sun
http://www.malaysia-today.net/Blog-e/2005/10/two-bn-mps-in-fix-for-backing-dap.htm
He [Sothinathan] is a member of the front bench and should not have taken a stand like what he did, criticising his own Government... [this] is certainly a breach of party discipline.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi , The Star 23 June 2005
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/6/23/nation/11295892&sec=nation
What happened is unprecedented but he is at fault. That is why action has to be taken against him
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, The Star 23 June 2005
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/6/23/nation/11295892&sec=nation
He broke ranks. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, The Star 23 June 2005
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/6/23/nation/11295892&sec=nation
The action against Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat) was good enough to serve as a reminder to the rest of the backbenchers.
BN secretary-general, Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, MGG Pillai 6 January 2003
http://www.mggpillai.com/article.php3?sid=1580
We are of the view that the final decision on this issue should be made by Barisan. But as far as Umno is concerned, we want them sacked.
Former Prime Minister and former UMNO/BN Chairperson, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, SNNI 29 November 2002
http://www.snni.org/cgi-bin/snni2/list_item.cgi?archives/2002_11_30/malaysia/st3011_1.txt
MPs are more free now, compared to 10 years ago, to voice their opinions and views.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, New Straits Times 14 January 2005
http://www.suaram.net/display_article.asp?ID=454
[On an objection by a leading backbencher] He may disagree, but at the end of the day it is the Whip's decision.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, New Straits Times 14 January 2005
http://www.suaram.net/display_article.asp?ID=454
I am a loyal party member and will obey. [if the government bill didn't go through] i t would have meant trouble for me.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, The Star 25 December 2005
http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/columnists/2005/12/25/suhaini/20051225114 912&sec=Suhaini
They are free to debate and speak their mind, but when it comes to a vote they have to follow.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, BBC News 22 December 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4551532.stm
WE are not doves that can be tamed. We did not intentionally support the Opposition. Our intention was to protect the integrity of Parliament.
Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, NST 5 October 2005
http://www.malaysia-today.net/Blog-e/2005_10_05_MT_BI_archive.htm
Each said that despite her conscience, "I am a loyal party member and will obey."
Suhaini Aznam, The Star 25 December 2005
http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/columnists/2005/12/25/suhaini/20051225114912&sec=Suhaini
I was merely trying to help the Barisan retain voters' confidence by bringing up the issue at the state assembly. And I certainly did not go against the Barisan. I love Barisan and was merely trying to help it retain its voters' confidence.
Tan Cheng Liang, Jawi ADUN, FAC News 27 November 2002
http://www.freeanwar.net/june2002/facnews271102a.htm
BNBBC.org.my akan bertindak sebagai platform untuk Ahli Parlimen berkongsi pendapat mereka tentang isu-isu semasa bersama rakyat dan membolehkan rakyat memberikan pendapat dan komen-komen bernas yang akan membantu meningkatkan lagi mutu perkhidmatan yang diberikan oleh Ahli Parlimen terhadap rakyat yang mereka wakili.
BNBBC.org.my 5 April 2005
http://www.bnbbc.org.my/?p=beritabnbb&v=fulltext&i=80
I urge MPs, particularly from Barisan Nasional, to support the amendments to the two water bills in the interests of the people and country. The Barisan Nasional leadership should remove the whip and allow BN MPs to speak and vote according to their conscience.
Opposition Leader, Lim Kit Siang 30 April 2006
http://blog.limkitsiang.com/?p=480
Saya ada pelbagai cara untuk mendapatkan maklum balas yang telah disampaikan kepada saya. Itulah cara saya daripada dulu pun. Kalau saya nak buat sesuatu dengan orang yang hendak membuat kerjasama dengan saya, saya akan beritahu, kalau ada pandangan, kalau ada apa-apa yang mereka hendak ingatkan, kut saya terlupa sedangkan kita manusia ini lupa pun ada.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 9 February 2004
http://www.pmo.gov.my/WebNotesApp/PMMain.nsf/314edc1f96172e0a48256f240017b913/f8321b872529e11b48256e8c00390dab?OpenDocument
Bekerjalah bersama saya, dan bukan untuk saya.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 9 February 2004
http://www.pmo.gov.my/WebNotesApp/PMMain.nsf/314edc1f96172e0a48256f240017b913/f8321b872529e11b48256e8c00390dab?OpenDocument
I will deal with them, even if they're powerful.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 23 March 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3560519.stm
For 15 years, I had joined the wrong party and I thought in year 2000 when I joined MCA, I could then serve the party and Barisan Nasional (BN).
Lim Boo Chang, Datuk Keramat ADUN, 16 December 2002
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2002&dt=1217&pub=Utusan_Express&sec=Home_News&pg=hn_03.htm
No Boo Chang. You are still in the wrong party.
winny at popular bookstores wants to put your book into the shops and wants to get in touch with you. have sent you her contacts via email. she is very keen on promoting local writing.
Thanks Sharon - and greetings from Bangkok!
Review in Gua. But why is it under Movies?
Review in Kakiseni too. Those who love Sharaad's prose style are in for a treat: He is slated to write an essay for New Malaysian Essays 2!
Can't find it in MPH Mid Valley.
Bendrix!
Just heard yesterday that it's sold out there. Can only restock next week once the 2nd print run is ready. In the meantime, some other shops should have it :-)
Thanks Amir. Any idea if I can find it in MPH, Bangsar Village II?
If not, I'll just have to trek to Kino to get it...
If that MPH doesn't have it, then silverfish (which is very close by) will definitely have. Support independent bookstores. Heh.
Yeah, you're right. I'll make my way there tomorrow to get my copy. Thanks.
Here's an update: the book is available again in MPH Mid Valley. It's put on the "Highlight" shelf, close to the magazines section, at the bottom rack, under Ahmad Sarji's tome on the Malaysian Civil Service.
Worth every one of the 24 clams I paid for the book (I meant Malaysian Essays, not Ahmad Sarji's).
salam. got ur book after watching the breakfast show over ntv7. I bought it at MPH The Curves. Kesian, kat rak bawah sekali. ok lah. Gelak sorang sorang reading ur Essay. Tahniah.
saw nme 1 in kinokuniya klcc on saturday. good for you!
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