But whose Malaysian Media Council, Gobind?

Puchong, 2 May 2019: Someone suggested a typo in the above article. That, maybe, the last line should read:

(Gobind) assumes all stakeholders' views will be taken into account. 

So what's the grouse? A lot of people who think they should be consulted have not been consulted. My own views on the proposed Malaysian Media Council have not been sought (let alone taken into account) and I sure have some useful views on the matter, if I may say so myself [this decade-old posting Blog Alliance opposes Media Council, for example].

Don't get me wrong. I am glad Gobind is pushing for the Council. At the National Press Club exco meeting the other day, we unanimously (re)affirmed our support for a self-regulatory media or press council. The NPC has been championing the formation of such a council for decades, after all. It would be a shame if its views are not taken into account.


Read also:
Gobind hopes media council to be set up in April 
Hawana 2018 expected to be catalyst to set up Council
Journalists group form alliance, demand to be consulted on Council

Doraemon for Visit Malaysia Year 2020?

Lat is actually amused - not upset - because
The Malay Mail hasn't actually spoken to him for this story

Puchong, 24 April: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's love affair with the Japanese culture is quite legendary; so much so that he made Japan his first stop after suddenly becoming Prime Minister of Malaysia again. He visited the Land of the Rising Sun three times in 2018: in June, August and then again in November. He brought back some samurai bonds for his troubles but I didn't hear him raving about Doraemon. There may be a Nobita in the Cabinet but I don't think it was the Old Man's idea to use the popular Japanese anime to help promote Visit Malaysia Year 2020.  

This is not the first time the VMY 2020 has courted controversy, though. I'm sure you remember this logo:

Perhaps if one adds Nobita's face somewhere in here ...

Read also:
Nazri: We stand by logo despite flak - The Star, Jan 2018
Ministry seeks to redesign VMY 2020 logo - NST, July 2018
Upin and Ipin mock picking Doraemon to promote Malaysia - The Malay Mail, 24 April
Kenapa Doraemon pilihan Balai Seni Negara untuk Tahun Melawat Malaysia? - Mkini 23 April

Ending monopolies: Another empty promise?

KL, 150419: Amid all that brave talk of ending monopolies, which is an integral part of Pakatan Harapan's election-winning manifesto, the same Pakatan Harapan's Government has announced, late last week while everyone was busy facing the Rantau by-election that:

Isn't MAHB a monopoly?

MAHB holds an exclusive concession to manage 39 airports and short take-off and landing ports (STOLports) nationwide. Only one commercial airport (Senai, Johor) is not within its concession. It is what you called a natural monopoly. (Read Tread carefully when ending monopolies - The Edge).

Azmi said the government's agreement to grant MAHB the half-a-century extension is a sign of confidence in the MAHB but you'd expect him to say that because he is MAHB (read MAHB gets 50-year extension to manage airpots nationwide).

The layman - including you and I - may see it as another election promise that will not be fulfilled.

Now, I'm not sure how the news that the Cabinet had agreed to extend the MAHB's monopoly will go down with Daim Zainuddin.  Because he has just made a statement to the media that Pakatan Harapan will deliver on its promises in six months.

Last I heard, Daim was for the breaking up of monopolies ...



Read also:
MAHB: Ending the monopoly by Mat Rodi, April 10 2019
More Aviation monopolies need to be broken - Malaysiakini , April 11 2019

Monday breakfast political thots: Beacon and Eggs

Puchong, 150419: Some would even say that in this man affectionately called Tok Mat by political friends and foes alike we're looking at a beacon of the nation's very future. Not just BN's. 

You may disagree, of course, and choose your half-boiled and scrambled eggs running this country today (not all in today's Cabinet are clowns but read here for one of many reasons why we're in the state we are today). 

Here's what Tok Mat himself had to say after his victory in Rantau, a sample of the Negri simplicity and class: 

“I am grateful that I won this seat. I can now be an effective check and balance role in Negeri Sembilan.” - BN wins convincingly in Rantau

The Malay Mail article quotes a political analyst saying that "In Malaysian politics and power relations among competing multi-ethnic parties and interests, being moderate is a vital principle" and "Tok Mat is a genuine moderate". 

That, however, did not win him the Chinese support in Rantau. (Read full article h e r e).

Maybe the Chinese voters like more than beacon and eggs for breakfast ..



Read also:

"Being racist, being arrogant, being stupid gangster, being bulu-bulu (?), being too much of a hypocrite and dancing too much":  What went wrong with Pakatan at Rantau ... among others