Zulkifli Nordin rapped by Pakatan Rakyat MPs

He has been courting trouble since he was elected the MP for Kulim Baharu MP. First, Zulkifli Nordin created a ruckus at the Bar Council interfaith forum and was singled out for his aggressiveness at the meeting. In fact, he barged in uninvited. He then made a disappearing act as the media and his party leaders following the uproar. The PKR disciplinary committee finally announced that he has been hauled up but the fact is that the panel is dragging its feet on the fate of the MP, probably fearful of losing him. If they can, they want Malaysians to forget about his misdeeds. Now, the lawyer - who has projected himself as a champion of Malay and Islamic rights - has irked his fellow Pakatan Rakyat MPs with his speech at the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday where he fired pot shots at practically everyone including his PR colleagues. Zulkifli's targets included groups who wanted signages in Jawi to be changed, those who wanted to use the word "Allah" and the Bar Council, of course, according to a report in The Star. I think Malaysians have had enough of these self-appointed heroes. We certainly had enough of Datuk Ahmad Ismail, the Bukit Bendera Umno division, with his racist remarks and more recently, we wonder why Gerakan leader Tan Lian Hoe stirred up an honest's nest with her remarks on the origin of Malays in the country. She's not been very clever as her constituency is predominantly Malay but more importantly, Malaysians do not need racist politicians who use race and religion to project themselves.

Dr M defends Datukship for Shah Rukh Khan

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has come out in defence of the decision to award Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan with a Datukship. He said he is embarassed that the decision has been questioned as this is not the first time a foreigner has been awarded a Datukship. Dr Mahathir, said to be fan of the Indian actor, has said that Shah Rukh Khan deserves the title, according to the Malaysian Insider. Period. The former premier is entitled to his views although most Malaysians are still stunned at the Malacca state government move. But he has a point, there are many Malaysians who don't even deserve these titles. The decision to award Shah Rukh Khan was based on a recommendation by former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

High flying KL Datuk Bandar

Fresh from the controversy over the decision to rename Jalan Alor, the world renowned food street in Kuala Lumpur, the city mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan has now found himself in the news again. The Dewan Rakyat has been told that taxpayers spent over RM1mil on travel expenses for Ab Hakim, according to a report in Malaysiakini. He must be the most travelled mayor so far. Meanwhile, Malaysians are waiting for Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique, who is now visiting Labuan, to return home to put things right. Zulhasnan must have heard the loud protest over City Hall's brillant decision to change Jalan Alor to Jalan Kejora. A news item filed by AFP yesterday on the controversy made it across the globe - that's how famous Jalan Alor is. We are counting on Zulhasnan to put some senses back to the officials in City Hall. If they want to name some little roads in the Bukit Bintang area after the planets, it's really up to them but keep Jalan Alor as it is called.

Thanks to PAS state govt, it's now 50 per cent.

The Kedah PAS-led state government has infuriated housing developers in the state with a new ruling requiring a 50 per cent quota for new houses to be allocated to bumiputras, the New Straits Times reported today. The current policy is 30 per cent for bumiputras in other states. At a glance, it makes sense for Kedah to have the ruling as the state's population is predominantly Malays. The only snag is that with the 50 per cent ruling, which comes with discounted rate for bumiputra buyers, housing developers can expect to be hard hit. In short, it means losses. The sole DAP assemblyman Lee Guan Aik has given the state government until Nov 18 to withdraw its new policy. Even the Kedah Malay Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Zainol Abidin Abdul Hamid has objected as bumiputra developers would be hit as well. Obviously, the Kedah PAS state government has given little thought to this policy. Earlier this year, the state government irked environmentalists with its decision to carry out logging in a densely forested area. Lee is now saying the policy was not reflective of the Kedah PAS' slogan of "PAS For All."

Jalan Alor is now Jalan Kejora? What a crap!

With all the excitement of last week's political events, I missed one piece of minor but important news item - the DBKL has decided to rename Jalan Alor, the favourite food haunt of people in Kuala Lumpur, and tourists as well - to Jalan Kejora. What was on the mind of the road naming committee when they decided to make this stupid move? Did they even bother to consult the food operators, businessmen and residents there? Don't they realise that Jalan Alor is an international name? The DBKL has came up an unconvincing line to justify the decision to rename the road, saying it had to "meet the requirements of the road naming guideline." What requirements and guidelines are they talking about? For another perspective, read Meiyen's take here. Let's hope Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique, who is an open and fair-minded person, will put things right by keeping the name Jalan Alor.

Soi Lek -The Comeback Kid

He has been written off as politically dead but Chua Soi Lek has staged a dramatic, if not, stunning comeback, as the MCA deputy president. The outspoken politician, who was left out of the March 8 polls, understood what the delegates wanted in the post-political tsunami period - they wanted MCA leaders who dare to speak up. Soi Lek fitted that image as an eloquent, outspoken and upfront leader. While the sex DVD issue continued to haunt him during the campaign, the constant appearance of his wife and MP son with him must have helped remove the doubts of delegates. After all, if his family had forgiven him, it was time to move on. He had also admitted his mistake. But public perception is also important although the delegates have picked him. Now, his task would be to prove to Malaysians that he can live up to their expectations and to put the past behind. Likewise, it would not be easy for the equally outspoken Tee Keat, the new MCA president. Making demands is one thing but the question remains whether they would be accomodated. Or they remain just as demands. There were snubs from several key Umno politicians after the general assembly. Repealing the ISA? No way. Dominating Umno? Who says so. Even the request for the unassuming, if not unimportant, BN Youth deputy chairman post by Liow Tiong Lai was met with reservations and questions from some Umno leaders. Even the usually level-headed Shahrir Samad questioned the need for such a post. At least Pak Lah and Hishamuddin Hussein Onn had the decency to say the request would be discussed.

Ka Ting's parting shot at MCA assembly

Outgoing MCA president Ong Ka Ting has probably delivered one of his strongest speeches. There was plenty of sting, for sure. It may be a little too late but he will be saluted for saying what needs to be said in front of the Umno president. The Malaysian Insider also posted a commentary: "Umno not a bully? Yeah. Right" rebutting Pak Lah's defence of Umno. Perception is everything in politics. Umno leaders can shrug it off, express their displeasure or lash out at MCA for Ka Ting's strong words but that would be the greatest disservice they can do. The MCA has been Umno's loyal partner for over 50 years. Both parties have gone through thick and thin. Like all marriages, partners must take what each other say or feel seriously for it to work. Unlike some BN component parties, the MCA has defended the coalition, not once using the words "mulling of leaving the BN" to revive itself. The truth is no partner is always right but it is always good to listen, that's why God gives us two ears and only one mouth.