Bali Bombers Executed.

Above is the picture of persons who responsible for killing 202 unsuspecting victims in unprovoked attack in Bali 2002. Sure, they have an issues with theirs so called enemy, but to attack an unarmed tourists just to get their massage across is an act of a cowards.

They have shown no remorse and even telling the world that they would do it again given the chance because it is theirs dream be become a martyr. Well, as far as I know is that it will remain as a dream because they did not die as martyr. They were punished for the terrible crime they committed, and if they know Islam as they claim to know very well, there will be more punishment waiting for them in the after life.

World would never be short of people who willing to commit suicide in the name of God. I blame it on certain leader or imam who so willingly manipulated the faith of other to do the bidding of their psychopath misdeed with promise of heaven when the basic teaching of Islam itself forbidden suicide.

Up until now the Jihad is the most misunderstood concept in Islam and these suicide bomber contribute more harm to Islam then their enemy.

Ex Gratia

Our government is a generous one. They paid over 10 millions to the judges who they didn't sacked ages ago and it is just as an act of kindness. I wouldn't feel as much discontent as I am now if it was to admit their past mistake, but then again, a public apologize would be much cheaper.

A minister, in parliament keep insisting it is not equal to an admission of guilt as the government never did anything wrong therefore have nothing to apologize for. The judges were given pension and qualified for all the benefit as they were only asked to resign, not sacked.

What really baffled me most is why bring up the issues in the first place if there is nothing wrong with it, and more importantly, why pay them now.

On the other hand we have an ex soldier, who fight for our country against the communist but get nothing. Even the communist who surrender at that time are given more privilege then he is. Captain (Rtd) Mukhtiar Singh Sodagar Singh have been appealing for his pension for 30 years now(read here for more), I think he is entitle not just for the pension he deserve but also a lot more. If our government can afford to pay 5 millions to a judge who currently also receive a pension to show kindness, it is only fair if they do the same for those who put their life on the line so that we can have what we have today.

KWSP

Government announced that from January 2009 employee contribution for EPF would be reduce to 8%. This, according to some high ranking officer who made the decision is to provide people with more money to spend.

Come on here, is a mere 3% of monthly income saved from EPF would increase the spending power of the middle income group? I think not. Someone who earn RM2000 a month would be getting extra RM2 a day to spend, but if that money is saved it will come to RM720 in just a year and with some interest imagine how much it will come to when that person retired. Think of a person who earn less, or someone with family to support , it is not helping at all. I'm sure those who actually feel different with just 3% of what they earn monthly is doing well enough to pass this crisis and it would be foolish to spend the saving just because your government say you can.

I think the government should focus on how to bring down the price of goods and to avoid inflation. Giving back our money to spend is not the answer. It is a clear sign that the government are helpless and have run out of idea to solve the problem.

Barack Obama

I was watching live result on America Election and congratulation to Mr. Obama for wining the Presidency. He is now the 44th POTUS. The first black man to become the president when just about 150 years ago the black is only a slave. The speed of the progress has attract lots of attention from around the world to watch with interest for many harbor the same hope of change.

While Mr Obama intended policies undoubtedly good for Americans, the health care for poor, taxes cut for middle income groups, creating jobs by bringing back to America all the industries that have been relocated overseas. In other word, Obama is the last hope of the American Dream that is left.

What we should concern is not all about his domestic policy, it has nothing to do with us. It is his foreign one that make me little bit worried. what would happen if he really pull back all those troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? Would we the rest of the world be left out in fighting terrorism by ourselves. No matter how much we don't like to admit, USA is the only super power with enough resources to fight Al-Qaeda and is the only thing that North Korea take seriously.

Mr Obama is now facing a difficult time as global economy worsen. Will he triumph and carry his nation out of economy gloom like he promised or will succumb to failure which is bad because as a first black president he'll need to prove his worth. After all, change is something rather easier to say then doing it.

Good luck Mr Obama.