Muhammad S.A.W

Maulidur Rasul [Birthday of Prophet Muhammad]

A mosque in Muar, Johor

JUST a little over three decades ago today, I was a student in Muar taking part in the annual procession to mark the birthday of the great Prophet. A most peaceful public gathering.

I will be passing by this riverside town again later today, to meet up with a couple of Johorean bloggers at Tanjung by the Sungai Muar, in our pursuit of the Ghost of Johor and other matters pertaining to the betterment of the state. If I'm lucky, I might catch this year's Maulud Nabi procession there .. 

Maulidur Rasul, wikipedia

100 Most Important People in History (and their religious affiliation)

KJ and Rafizi

Watch the debate in London between two young Malaysians of the Vision 2020 generation", on ISA, 1Malaysia/unity, reforms, and problems with their parties. Heartening to listen to both paying tribute to Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

This was before Dr M told Bloomberg h e r e that Anwar Ibrahim would turn the country "upside-down" if he wins in the next general election.

The Bayan Mutiara mystery and affordable homes that cost RM220k

Pic A: Dr Mahathir dons Esquire's cover for February

Pic B: "Tear here" and turn the page, and someone familar's red lips, jaw and nostrils get a brainy top

Pic C: Ah, it's Guan Eng on the second or flip cover of the same magazine 

Blogger SatD, by now well-known for his superb research faculties, has urgent queries for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng following his announcement of a mega project that he hopes "will put to rest accusations that the state government does not care for the welfare of the Penangites".

How did the same RM30 million project announced by the previous state government suddenly costing RM800 million?

In his recent state budget, Guan Eng spoke about a plan to build affordable homes costing RM72,000 to RM220,000. There was no mention of a budget for affordable homes costing RM42,500 to RM72,000? Where is the money coming from and was this an afterthought?

Please read why SatD thinks Guan Eng is not telling us the whole story, h e r e. Please go there to leave comments as well.

Before I move on ...

Feb 1, 2011: After the settlement that ended our 5-year court battle yesterday, the plaintiffs in Rocky's Bru vs Kalimullah + 3 issued a press statement through Kalimullah Masheerul Hassan, one of the plaintiffs. 

This press statement, which was quoted extensively by The Star in its report Rocky rues allegation, was not part of the settlement the parties mutually agreed upon in front of the High Court Judge in Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning, but I'm not belabouring this point. 

However, for the sake of accuracy, I must clarify that the settlement mutually reached yesterday between the plaintiffs and I, the defendant, has no relations with, and should not be seen as part of, the "apologies" that Kalimullah said he had received through court settlements in the last 12 months.

The Star also reported, quoting Kalimullah: “We accept the apology by Ahirudin and his expression of regret at the damage, distress and embarrassment he has caused not only to us but also our families and friends.” According to our settlement, however, my apology was "for the considerable distress, embarrassment and inconvenience caused to the Plaintiffs". It did not cover "families and friends".

There are other inaccuracies in The Star's report but, really, if you all don't mind, I'd like to move on now.

Please refer to Enclosure 44, which I published in full yesterday on my blog as part of the settlement.