Tabung Haji is okay la

Someone asked me to check on this July 13 headline the other day and it made me wondered what the complaints were really all about,

TH dituntut kembalikan

 penginapan percuma

Apparently, there's this guy Datuk Abu Baker Sidek who is unhappy with the new arrangement at the new Tabung Haji complex in Sepang.

excerpts;
“Selama bertahun-tahun, bakal jemaah haji daripada Kedah, Perak dan lain-lain negeri diberi penginapan secara percuma selama satu hari sebelum ke Tanah Suci tetapi tidak lagi bermula musim ini,” katanya yang mendapat aduan daripada jemaah haji.

Well, the Sinar Harian report didn't say how many complaints the guy received or why the pilgrims complained to him instead of to Tabung Haji.

The report said Tabung Haji had not responded to Sinar Harian but it nonetheless quoted an official as saying,

excerpts;

Kakitangan TH itu berkata, bermula tahun ini, bakal jemaah haji dari negeri-negeri akan melaporkan diri di cawangan TH di negeri masing-masing dan akan transit di KLIA sebelum meneruskan penerbangan ke Tanah Suci.

“Tempoh menunggu untuk ke Tanah Suci tidaklah mengambil masa yang lama sehinggakan bakal jemaah perlu menginap,” katanya.

Difahamkan, bakal jemaah dan waris yang mahu menginap, TH menyediakan bilik di Movenpick Hotel and Convention Centre (MHCC) di Sepang tetapi kos penginapan ditanggung sepenuhnya oleh jemaah.

So, I was wondering what's the real problem.

As the official said, it doesn't take long to check in for the flight that the pilgrims have to stay overnight at the complex. If they still choose to do so, then they could stay at the hotel.

Otherwise, they could just come to the complex on time and take the flight just like any other people going on an overseas trip. I can't really see the problem here.

Well, apparently the complaint had been taken up by several pro-BN social media warriors to whack the PH government, saying that such things never happened before.

Come on guys, you all got it wrong la.

It was a purely Tabung Haji's decision and it has a valid answer to the complaints.

I checked with my friend at Tabung Haji just now and this is his WhatsApp reply;

"Jemaah yg dikatakan ramai tu sebenarnya waris yang hantar jemaah. Kalau ada 500 jemaah nak berlepas biasanya sampai 5,000 waris yg hantar.

"Sebenarnya dulu pun di Kompleks TH Kelana Jaya kita hanya sediakan bilik untuk jemaah outstation dan itu pun kira first come first serve basis.

"Sekarang dah ada 7 stesen berlepas. Kemudahan hotel sebelum ni untuk jemaah outstation dah tak perlu  lagi sebab ada feeder flights."

That should answer the matter, I think.

Whatever it is, I think Muslims in this country should move on from the mentality of demanding freebies.

Enough of the free accommodation, free food, free clothes etc.

We are better than that,

This is New Malaysia, okay.

The BN government which used to pamper us is no more.

Just be more disciplined and be where we need to be on time.

I believe those are what Islam wants of us, after all.

Anyway, Tabung Haji has done so much for the pilgrims with all those subsidies and other excellent services.

Okay, here's a video about the new Tabung Haji complex, and no one seems to be complaining about it there;

New Malaysia promises

I thought of this scenario as I was driving to work. I'm writing it down for fun, okay.

BEFORE;

Man :
Your boyfriend is a cheat. I have all the evidence that he cheated on you. Dump him and be my girlfriend instead. I promise I will marry you and buy you a car, a bungalow, several condos, millions ringgit of jewellery, holiday trip to Japan and many more nice things.  I'll do  all these within 100 days after you become my girlfriend.

Woman :
Oh so nice. Ya la, I always suspect my current boyfriend is cheating on me. He's also very stingy. Always calculate everything before buying me anything. Holiday also never take me overseas. Go Langkawi the most. Okay, I'll dump him. But, you promise har....marry and buy me all those nice stuff within 100 days after I become your girlfriend. Can?

Man : Of course can. I'm a good man, not like your useless current boyfriend. I sure keep my promises one.

AFTER;

Woman :
Eh, how come you still not marry and buy me nice stuff yet. It's almost 100 days since I dumped my ex-boyfriend to be with you. You remember your promises or not?

Man :
Aiya....be patient la. Now still cannot. I didn't calculate properly at that time when I promise you those stuff. Now only I realise not enough money. Give me some more time, okay. This is all you ex-boyfriends' fault.

Woman :
But you promised....I even slept with you already because you promised me all that....can you keep your promises or not?

Man :
Eh, promise is not the Bible la. No need to follow everything one. When I can, I keep my promises la. You don't nag me like this, okay.

Woman :
Sob, sob....but at least you marry me la hor....I slept with you already....if I become pregnant, how?

Man :
Aiyo....that one is for five years plan one, not 100 days. You cannot remember ka? Now keep quiet. I want to make love to you again. I know you like it. Don't talk so much. You want, right?

Woman ;
Eerrrr.....okay. But you promise ya.....you marry me after this.

Man :
Okay okay....I'll marry you. I promise.

Woman ;
Within 100 days?

Man ;
Eh...shut up la. Lie down and just enjoy the ride, okay.

For similar scenario, please click this link to Bernama website and read what Mahfuz Omar said

Minimum wage promise is Pakatan Harapan's five-year plan 

But of course, Saifuddin Abdullah said

PH not flip flopping on general election promises

Don't know lah.

Anyway, it's actually not so bad.

Last time I promised to join DAP if Khaled Nordin wins the Umno election and becomes a vice-president.

The guy actually did that.

I was like, "Shit.....now I really have to kow tow to Guan Eng and gang."

Then I remember that nowadays we don't really have to keep our promises anymore.

New Malaysia what.

Hey, I also don't know before I made that promise that Umno people are so adamant on being led by someone like Khaled, okay.

Same like PH people when they made the election promises, which they are not keeping la.

Guan Eng said he and the gang didn't know the promises can't be kept, right?

Umno people, be nice

PH lost another assemblyman today,

Balakong assemblyman killed in accident

Selangor Menteri Besar said

Death of Balakong rep great
 loss for Pakatan Harapan 


I don't know Eddie Ng but would like to express my sympathy for the decease's family and love ones.

I also wish to express my unhappiness with this comment by former Federal Territories Umno Youth deputy chief Datuk Razlan Rafii,

Eddie mati, kurang kaki fitnah 

That's not nice, okay.

We shouldn't say things like that when our political enemies died.

We need to be more civilised in this New Malaysia.

I hope for us Malaysians, especially Umno people in this case, not to do or say things like what Razlan did.

You all are better than that.

I know, you all are the opposition now, but that does not mean you should do nasty things such as coming out with this sort of video,

Please don't curse you political enemies like that.

Be better than them, okay.

Well, at least don't la put Christian song for what was supposed to be a Taoist ritual.

Don't offend people for no reason.

Thank you.

Guan Eng, are you really stupid or is it just your poor BM ?

A friend forwarded this to me just now and I was like,
Alamak Guan Eng, this is not how a finance ministry should issue its press statement.

This sounds very kindergarten like, okay.

Hello, you are the finance minister now la.

Why still want to quarrel like that?

Just do your job.

Implement the SST and if you are right, all the prices of goods will go down and you will be the hero.

Why get so upset and issued such a silly press statement like that?

Is it because Guan Eng already knew that once SST is enforced, prices of goods will be even worse?

But still, he shouldn't lose his cool and turned childlike.

Seriously, now I'm really beginning to believe that Guan Eng is indeed stupid.

Actually, all these while I was just joking around about him not being bright enough.

I know that Guan Eng is an accountant and accountants are not stupid.

But now I'm not so sure anymore after reading that Guan Eng's childish statement.

Maybe there are stupid accountants.

Or is it his Bahasa Malaysia is not so good that the statement came out all stupid like that?

Maybe I should check his Chinese press statement....hmmm, see how lah.

Anyway, the guy who forwarded me the press statement also sent me this, saying it may help Guan Eng and his supporters to have some understanding of GST and SST;

Our Finance Minister does not seem to understand why there is a RM23b gap between GST and SST collections.

Let's get the basic out of the way first so we can agree on this:

*_Because zero-rating GST since last month did not see any drop in prices and some prices actually increased, imposing two new taxes - a 10% sales tax and a 6% service tax - WILL INCREASE prices for some goods and services. There will also be no reduction in prices compared to prices today_*

Okay, since we agree on the above, let's move on.

- The additional RM23b reduction in collection is because businessmen will now get to evade taxes because the self-policing system of GST no longer applies.
- Businessmen will now charge and collect service tax but will not remit to the government - just like before.
- The underworld and black economy (ah long, robbers, prostitutes and pimps, triads, pirated DVD sellers) which do not declare their business will no longer be paying  GST when they buy stuff.
- Also, the tourists and foreign workers who were previously paying GST no longer needs to pay any tax as they will not be buying goods such as white-goods or cars which will be hit by sales tax.

That is where the RM23b gone to while us everyday ordinary people have to contend with higher prices - even higher than before GST was zero-rated.

That is where your RM23b went. But did it go to the right persons?

Do you understand now, Mr. Finance Minister?

Can the Finance Minister give an assurance that no prices will increase after SST is implemented in September? Can he promise that prices will drop in September?

If not, just admit that you have screwed us, screwed our economic system and put us back into the dark ages of a tax system that few countries in the world still uses.

_Anti-Wayang_

So how?

Aiya,  don't worry too much  lah.

I think once the SST is back in place and if stuff get more expensive than before, we should all just adjust our personal budget again.

Eat kangkung enough la ya.

But if things get so bad that we couldn't adjust anymore, then we can always ask the government to revert back to GST.

Maybe it's okay if PH is the one implementing the GST....unlike BN-Umno.

Here's a good explanation on GST,

• Wahid's GE14 message

Just click on the link, okay.

Cheers.

Umno, are you jumping into the river with your pumpkins?

GUEST BLOGGER

By Lebai Sudin

Beberapa jam selepas namanya diumumkan sebagai Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno, Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali menolak lantikan itu. Aku rasa tindakan Bekas Peguam Negara itu betul. Dia tak mahu ada persepsi negatif atau orang akan kaitkan dengan tugasnya sebelum ini, termasuk ketika jadi hakim.

Dalam bab ni, aku puji sikap Apandi. Aku bukannya kenal Apandi, sekadar kenal dia sebaga AG je la. Namun, khabarnya Apandi pernah aktif politik..pernah juga jadi calon pun. Itu aku kurang pasti.

Yang pasti, dia tidak mahu dirinya menjadi beban kepada Umno. Umno yang nak bangkit semula itu, perlukan wajah baru, sifat baru, sikap baru, karektor baru dan serba baru..baru..baru..baru… kalau Umno mahu memenangi semula hati rakyat.

Kalau tak, Umno jadi  seperti Si Luncai Terjun Dengan Labu-Labunya, Biarkan..Biarkan..

Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi nak Umno diiringi dengan nyanyian biarkan..biarkan ke?

Kalau tak, kenapa Ahli-Ahli MT dan mereka yang dilantiknya mengisi jawatan-jawatan penting parti termasuk pengerusi-pengerusi perhubungan, macam mempelawa lagu si luncai dinyanyikan untuk Umno?

Kenapa lantik mereka dalam kalangan nama-nama yang berlegar di sekeliling kepimpinan Najib Razak? Aku nak sebut nama-nama tu kat sini pun terasa seperti… aduh! penatnya…. tengoklah sendiri senarai tu dan nilailah sendiri.

Zahid announces list of new Umno supreme council members

List of new state Umno leaders

Ok lah..ahli-ahli Umno dalam pemilihan baru-baru ini dah memilih kepimpinan parti dan barisan MT yang nampaknya macam tak berapa nak berubah ahli-ahli Umno ini. Melihatkan keadaan itu, ramai yang berasa Umno macam tak serik-serik.

Ok lah.. sukar nak memastikan puluhan ribu ahli Umno yang mengundi itu mengambil iktibar PRU 14?.. Tapi ini, Zahid seorang sahaja yang punya kuasa dan buat lantikan, masih juga tidak ambil iktibar daripada PRU 14?…Zahid…Zahid..

Dah lah Zahid gitu, mereka yang dilantiknya itu pula, tidak terfikir ke sepertimana Apandi berfikir? Masih tak sedar-sedar ke?.. Masih lagi mahu mendabik dada dan mendongak ke langit ke…

Umno dah tidak boleh menampilkan barisan kepimpinan yang hanya cakapnya lantang. Rakyat tidak dapat menerima pemimpin yang pekak kepada pandangan mereka. Pemimpin pada kaca mata rakyat, bukan mereka yang sibuk berniaga dan buat harta. Pemimpin yang mengumpul konco-konco dan kroni-kroni, tidak dapat diterima lagi.

Sudah berlalu zaman pemimpin menyuruh rakyat itu dan ini, menasihatkan rakyat begitu dan begini, menegur rakyat supaya bersatu dan mempertahan pertiwi, sedangkan mereka mementingkan diri dan menjamu kroni.

Jangan cakap sahaja berdegar-degar, tahi terselit di celah gelegar dan berkokok nyaring walhal ekor bergelumang dengan tahi.

Setiap daripada mereka yang bersama-sama mempertahankan Najib dan sama-sama menyebabkan Umno kecundang kali pertama dalam sejarah PRU tanah air, sepatutnya mampu menilai diri.

Mereka seharusnya tahu apakah mereka diterima oleh rakyat.. bukan ahli Umno..tapi rakyat. Ahli Umno mengundi untuk menentukan pemimpin parti mereka, rakyat mengundi untuk memilih parti yang akan memerintah negara dan bangsa.

Kalau pemimpin parti itu tidak disenangi rakyat, maka parti itu tidak akan dipilih. Itulah yang berlaku dalam PRU 14.

Tak kan itu pun tak faham-faham. Budak sekolah rendah pun faham.. atau memang pemimpin Umno ini nak terjun dengan labu-labunya.. maka rakyat pun akan terus berkata, Biarkan!..Biarkan!…

Anifah and KJ are right

I have to say that I agreed when

Anifah and KJ say walkout

 not warranted for protest

Quite brave of them, I think.

Seriously, did the opposition MPs needed to do that?

It's kinda silly and maybe even childish.

I think they need to do better than that.

It's just like the stupid old opposition again.

PH people staged many walkouts too when they were the opposition.

Of course they were being silly back then.

But that shouldn't be an excuse for staging the walkout yesterday.

In my humble opinion, BN people need to be better as the opposition than the PH people.

They shouldn't walk out over something which I think was a small issue the way their predecessors used to do.

It's indeed silly because later on, they were sworn in as MPs in front of the new speaker guy whose appointment they had just protested against..

I think the opposition MPs should reserve their more dramatic actions for more serious occasions.

If they pull such stunts for everything they wanted to protest in parliament, then I think the people would not like it too much.

They are there to represent the people and if they stage a walkout too often, then that's tantamount to not doing their duty of providing checks and balances to the PH government.

They need to be smarter next time.

And I don't really like this

Najib: Khairy, Anifah should explain

 why they stayed 

I don't think Najib should be the one who said that.

Even if the intention was good, it should be voiced out by Zahid as opposition leader and not Najib.

Najib is after all just an opposition MP now, the same as Anifah and KJ.

I think he should just concentrate on his ongoing legal battle, or at the very least, restricts his attack against PH.

That way I think the people will be more sympathetic towards him.

Well, whatever it is, to be more positive I think yesterday's incident in parliament showed that democracy is still alive in this country, even among the opposition parties.

Yes, that includes Umno too.

No blind loyalty or herd mentality there.

Hopefully they will learn from the whole thing.

Umno can sing and dance as it wishes

Someone asked me why I'm not writing about Umno anymore since the party's recent election.

Well, for one thing I don't believe that my opinion on what's going on in Umno now matters anymore.

I'm not an Umno member and Umno is no longer a ruling party.

That means whatever happened within Umno would not affect me in any way now.

So, I don't think I should give my unsolicited advices or criticisms to Umno.

It's all up to Umno members to decide where their party wants to go from now on.

That is at least until it becomes a ruling party again when its decisions will once again affect my life.

For now, it doesn't matter to me whether it wants to go left, right or centre.

Umno members can now also have any leader for themselves and I would not be bothered about it as it's no longer my business to be concerned about their choices.

Anyway, I have said all I want about what I wished for the party before its recent election.

As for the outcome of that party election, I believe the party members had decided to go to the right.

It's basically going to remain on its Malay agenda and everything it used to champion.

I have talked to some Umno friends and they all seemed to believe that the GE14 defeat was purely because of the rakyat's rejection of Najib and his leadership.

The party, they believe was not wrong in any way.

Now that Najib is gone, they believe that the rakyat (in particular Malays) will once again support Umno. The party and whatever allies it still has will bounce back in the next general election.

They also believe that PH is just an alliance of convenience and would break-up soon.

This is especially so once Dr Mahathir is no longer around to hold them together.

That would be as early as two years from now as it was promised by the current PM that he would hold on to that job for just that period.

So, my Umno friends believe there is nothing wrong for their party to remain as it is because once the rakyat see how bad things get under PH, they would revert back their support to Umno and its allies.

Well, I'm not going to comment on that.

As I had said, it's now no longer my concern to comment on Umno members' belief.

From now on, I'm just going to comment on things which directly affect me.

Things such as those done or failed to be done by the government and the PH ruling parties.

Again, Umno is now just an opposition party. The members should know better on how to handle themselves and their party than me, who is an outsider.

That's all.

Errrr....here's a Chechen song and dance to cheer things up a bit.