RM50 million donation by Koon Yew Yin

By Koon Yew Yin

After the publication of my RM 50 million donation to the Penang State Government for building student hostels, many people including journalists and BMF Radio have asked me a lot of questions. They are curious because they have not come across something like this before.

Here are my answers:

I was born on the 6th Jan 1933. My father started a coffin shop at No. 8 Jalan Ipoh, KL about 100 years ago. When father retired about 30 years ago, my eldest brother inherited the coffin shop. As he got older, he found difficulty to compete with the modern undertakers and was forced to close the old shop about 2 years ago and my younger brother continued the coffin business with a smaller shop in Kepong, KL.

As I have 11 siblings, I always needed some things since I was a boy. I remember always feeling hungry when I was young. One can imagine how 12 children rushed for food during meal time.

This is why I want to help the poor. Besides my RM 50 million donation to the Penang Government to build student hostels, I have to date, given about 300 scholarships to help students from poorer backgrounds to complete their tertiary education.

As a young boy in 1957 I attended St John’s Institution, KL where I completed a 4 years Civil Engineering Diploma in Technical College (now known as UTM) under a PWD [now known as JKR) scholarship. I subsequently qualified as a Chartered Civil Engineer by self-study in 1962.

In 1967, together with 3 partners, I founded Mudajaya Construction Sdn. Bhd. and Gamuda Sdn. Bhd. In early 1980, IGB Construction Sdn. Bhd., Jurutama Construction Sdn. Bhd. and Mudajaya Construction Sdn. Bhd. grouped together and listed as a public company under the name of IJM Corporation Bhd.

In 1975 I sold Gamuda Sdn Bhd to Dato Lin Yun Ling and his partners.

In 1983 I had a serious heart angina. At the time heart by-pass operations could only be done in Mayo Clinic or Harley Street London and the casualty rate was frighteningly high. Before my heart surgery in London, I passed all my assets to my wife and children.

After my heart operation, I retired from being an executive director in Mudajaya / IJM Corporation Bhd and I started to learn how to make money from the stock market. In 1983-4 the Hong Kong stock market crashed because China wanted to take back Hong Kong. Almost all the Hong Kong investors were afraid of the arrival of the Communists and they sold their holdings as quickly as possible.

One of the most important investment lessons I learned was to be a contrarian investor, buy when everybody is afraid to buy and sell when everybody wants to buy. I started with only RM 200,000 cash and within a few years, I bought 46% of Kaiser Stock and Shares Ltd., a stockbroking company in Hong Kong.

After having read several investment books by famous gurus such as Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffet, Peter Lynch, etc. together with my 32 years of experience, I wish to share my knowledge with people who are interested in investment. I believe in teaching people to make money. It is like teaching people how to fish instead of giving them some fish.

Q: Why do you write regularly on national issues?

A: In 1970 when the new economic policy was introduced, the GDP per capita of Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea were the same as ours. They became developed nations despite the fact they did not have natural resources like us. They did not even have timber to build houses. Over 40 years later, we are still not a developed nation due to bad management and corruption of the BN Government. I will continue to write to point out all the bad things of the Government until voters can vote the BN Government out of Putrajaya.

In 2009, I published a book called ‘Malaysia: Road Map for achieving vision 2020′ to show how Malaysia can become the developed nation it deserves to be. Unfortunately, we have not achieved a developed nation status due to the bad management and corruption of the BN Government. It is most unlikely we can achieve Vision 2020.

I have given all my children the best education that money can buy and I think they can find a good living without my money. As such, I want to help poor students complete their tertiary education. I personally believe that with a good education, they can earn enough to help their own families and other poor people. As I pointed out earlier, I have already given out over 300 scholarships to really poor students to complete their tertiary education. All my scholarship recipients are not required to pay me back the money I have spent on them. Instead, all they have to do is to promise me that they must not forget that I helped them when they were poor and they will have to help other poor people when they have money to spare. I sincerely believe some of them will continue to do charity after I die and if they practice the same system or philosophy I do, there will be more and more people contributing to charity.

Q: What are other charities or projects have you supported in a big way in the past?

A: About 10 years ago I paid for the construction of a large extension to the Salvation Army building in Ipoh. I also donated RM 350,000 towards the renovation of Ipoh Wesley Private School.

Q: Is it true that UTAR snubbed a RM30 million donation you wanted to give them back in 2009, also for hostels and why did you choose Penang as the state to undertake this and not any other state? Is there a particular reason?

A: 6 years ago, I offered to donate RM 30 million to UTAR for building student hostels under the same terms and conditions as I offered to Penang. However, the MCA leaders; who controlled UTAR owned all the land outside the university campus rejected my offer because they did not want me to jeopardise their lucrative property development business. They are greedy and just want to take advantage of the poor students.

As a result of the bad publicity, MCA lost almost all their seats in the last general election.

Subsequently, I invested all the RM 30 million in the stock market and I managed to make some profit. I chose to donate to Penang because the record shows that DAP is managing Penang very well and I wanted to support DAP.

Q: How long is the construction process expected to take place, and how many students are you aiming to help with this donation?

A: The Chief Minister has assigned the 3 top officials to assist my architect in designing and planning for the project. They are, Jagdeep Singh Deo, who is in charge of the State Town and Country Planing, YB Lim Hock Seng who is in charge of public utilities and Yew Tung Seang, Director of Building. The project is going ahead in top gear.

Our initial design can accommodate about 2,200 students. In fact, the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the Government is willing to give additional funds if my RM 50 million was insufficient.

Preference will be given to poor students irrespective of race and religion, bearing in mind that about 80% of the 18,000 USM students are Malays. Currently USM can only provide accommodation for 1st year students.

Everyone is trying to make money every day. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to use their money wisely. They must realise that our ultimate aim in life is happiness. They will find great happiness if they can create happiness. If they give away some of their money to help poor people who will be happy, they will also be happy.

I have written in my will that after I die, all my remaining assets will be donated to help poor people to make them happy.

In conclusion, I wish to point out that it is not necessary to study overseas to achieve success in life and that we cannot take our money along with us when we die. I hope this article will inspire some readers to follow my footsteps in doing charity. You can tell your friends to read this inspiring story of an undertaker’s son.

Koon Yew Yin is a retired chartered civil engineer and one of the founders of IJM Corporation Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.

- http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2015/10/02/why-i-gave-rm50m-for-penang-hostels/

Teenagers

Canon Rock - Sungha Jung

Milli Vanilli

Milli Vanilli was formed with Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus. Unfortunately, they were exposed as frauds because none of the songs were performed by them. It destroyed not only their careers, but their lives as well. They were left to fend for themselves for something that was not created by them. They were used by the producer Frank Farian and the real singers took advantage and basked in their 5 minutes of fame. Rob Pilatus died of a drug overdose at the aged of 33. They suffered and paid the price for somebody else's mistake. Life can be cruel sometimes.

Bersih 4.0

It was certainly an interesting Merdeka weekend... for some. Evidently, those who attended Bersih enjoyed themselves, patting each others' back for fighting for Free & Fair Elections? or was it for Democracy? or... where's the damn list again? Nevermind, I doubt many actually remember the points on that list? It's was all about bringing down the Prime Minister!

Entertainment provided

They came....

They marched, sang & danced...

Hmmm, that guy's yellow T-Shirt looks kinda plain doesn't it?

They ate...

They slept...

under the scorching tropical sun...

Anyway, in case anyone missed the glaring demographic composition, I've not seen so many middle-class Chinese on the streets of Kuala Lumpur since... well, since, you know, ever.

It's nice to see them so passionate about their cause. Let's hope they've accomplished whatever they set out to do.

Although celebrating Merdeka Day like this is not my thing, I suppose that's what democracy is about. At least they were allowed to do their thing peacefully. I think the authorities handled things rather well this time and the attendees were well-behaved as well.

A few personal obervations from this Bersih 4.0 rally:

1. More than 80% comprised of Chinese.
2. Many who attended wondered why there were so few Malays. Perhaps, they should ask the organisers for the reason.
3. Despite the many reasons given, perhaps the Malays simply did not share the same sentiments as their Chinese brethen. Ok, ok, actually, they just did not feel like attending a DAP rally.
4. From the turnout, we can safely assume that among the opposition parties, DAP has the Chinese in their pocket, PAS has the majority Malay and PKR has very little. Makes you wonder how PKR ended up with the MB's post.
5. DAP has yet again, managed to make the Chinese suffer fools knowing full well that the Malays would not be there in great numbers. 
6. An important point that many chose not to highlight is the fact that, the reason the authorities allowed the rally to proceed peacefully, is because they do not see the Chinese as a threat to the government.
7. In Malaysia, the people do not get to choose the Prime Minister, only the party.
8. And most importantly, the Chinese are actually a well-behaved lot, I'm proud to say. 

The worries, concerns and insecurities felt by the Chinese community are shared by all communities in Malaysia. Who doesn't want a better future for their children? Just do not let yourselves be used especially by those with vested interests.

For instance, some politicians keep drumming into the people that the country is going broke, but at the same time, increasing their own salaries and perks. On one hand, they pretend to emphatise, while on the other, doing little to help.

Crime: Choo Gaik Yap Kidnap, Rape & Murder - Suspect sentenced to death

An update on this 9-year-old case. Justice sure takes it's time...

Earlier post in 2013: http://year1malaysia.blogspot.com/2013/06/crime-choo-gaik-yap-kidnap-rape-murder.html

Earlier post in 2014: http://year1malaysia.blogspot.com/2014/10/crime-choo-gaik-yap-kidnap-rape-murder.html

Businessman sentenced to death for 2006 murder

ALOR SETAR: A 34-year old businessman, Shahril Jaafar was sentenced to death this Sunday for the 2006 murder of Chee Gaik Yap.

Shahril remained calm when the judgement was delivered by Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab.

Mohd Zaki said the defence failed to raised reasonable doubt in the case.

"I have no choice but to sentence you with the death penalty, the only punishment as stipulated in Section 302 of the Penal Code," he said.

Chee Gaik Yap

Chee, a Universiti Utara Malaysia graduate, was raped and her body dumped at the housing estate after being abducted while she was jogging in the neighbourhood.

She was believed to have been tailed by her assailant while jogging in the neighbourhood.

The public gallery was packed with friends and families of the victims and accused, as well as pressmen.

Shahril was charged with the murder of marketing executive Chee, 25, near the Cinta Sayang Club in Taman Ria Jaya, Sungai Petani, between 5.30pm Jan 14 and 3.05am Jan 15, 2006.

On June 25, 2013, the Alor Setar High Court acquitted and discharged Shahril from a charge of murdering Chee after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case.

However on Oct 13 last year, a Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Linton Albert, unanimously set aside the High Court’s decision.

The case was re-mentioned on Oct 19 at Alor Setar High Court, with the prosecution team led by Kedah prosecution unit head Salim Soib while Shahril was represented by Shamsul Sulaiman.

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/08/09/businessman-death-marketing/

10 Things Happy People Do to Stay Happy

By Lynn Newman

“Here’s a little song I wrote. You might want to sing it note for note. Don’t worry, be happy.” ~Bobby McFerrin 

I was one of those people that when asked what they want in life, would say, “I just want to be happy…”

In my past, I suffered from debilitating depression. There was a period when getting the dry-cleaning and buying toilet paper was difficult enough.

So, I made it my mission to study what happy people do to stay happy, then I started doing what they were doing. And my happiness increased until I became one of those people I used to be envious of.

Here’s a list I use now on a daily basis as a reminder to increase my happiness:

1. Give yourself permission.

Permission to be who you are; permission to laugh big, to cry when you need to, to fail brilliantly, to make stuff; permission to fall apart, breakdown, and get back up again; permission to be different and unique all onto your own; permission to go too far and reach your dreams.

2. Don’t take yourself so seriously.

Hold yourself with a “light hand.” Laugh at your foibles with amusement.

When things get tough or stress arises, lift your shoulders with an “oh well…” Know that it’s never as big or life devastating as your mind thinks.

Happy people trust that whatever glitch happens will work itself out.

They give a “Ha! Ha!” and a “So what? Who cares? Big Deal! Why not?” when met with resistances.

3. Don’t self-ruminate.

I remember a friend of mine from Mississippi saying, “Lynn, when are you gonna’ stop starin’ at your own belly button…?” (Insert: Southern drawl.)

I learned happy people don’t fixate on themselves and their problems. They don’t over-analyze the issue du jour.

When they start to get stuck on a problem or in their head, they put their attention on something else.
I remind myself to not have to have it all figured out: Get outside. Go back to your work. Plan something fun.

4. Don’t compare.

Comparison has been compared to a little death. When we compare ourselves to others, we harm ourselves.

Happy people know that they’re no better or less than another person. Someone will always be at a “more evolved place” and someone will always be “less-evolved.”

Note to self: Be concerned with only how to do your best and that’s all.

5. Make adjustments.

When something isn’t going your way, when your mood dips, or when you feel “off,” stay curious and self-aware. Fine-tune the energy in your body by making adjustments.

If you eat something that makes you feel poor, why eat it? Pay attention if that glass of wine the night before makes you feel crappy in the morning or that slice of pizza made you bloated or that ice cream caused you to crash, losing your focus and energy.

When you’re feeling stuck or heavy, take a walk, do something different than your normal routine, meet up with a friend.

If feeling anxious or stressed, tune-up with extra sleep, meditation/yoga or a hot bath…

6. Be of service and know how to take care of yourself.

Happy people want to give back. They have plenty to share. They volunteer, take time out to help a friend, offer to connect people to others for their betterment, and aren’t in need of getting anything back.

Commit to service but also stay aware of how to take care of yourself. When your energy gets depleted, remember to not give away to the point that you lose focus on your own emotional/mental/physical/spiritual health.

Have loving boundaries to care for yourself so that you have more to give.

7. Choose uplifting friendships.

When we have friendships and conversations that are uplifting, supportive, and loving, with people interested in our betterment, we are on a faster track to our own enlightenment.

If you hang out with someone and don’t feel great afterward, see less of that person and seek out other friendships.

Know which friends increase your happiness and nurture those relationships.

8. Be less interested in being happy and more interested in your peace of mind.

I used to think happiness was about being totally ecstatic. In order to balance out my feelings of hopelessness and depression, it seemed natural that my goal would be to be maximally blissed.
But with all the highs there’s a low—we eventually come down from it.

Remember not to get attached to the highs and focus more on experiencing peaceful aliveness.
When your life is at peace, there’s a relaxed balance; and the chances of sustained happiness and contentment increases.

9. Use your senses.

As they say, the ordinary is extraordinary.
Happy people receive pleasure from enjoying the simple joys in life, and usually they’re connected to our senses. This subtle awareness creates significant moments of happiness.
I discovered the pleasures I receive in the:

• Warmth of a teacup in my hands on a cold winter day
• Taste of a square of dark chocolate melting on my tongue
• Dance music in my cycle class that wakes me up
• Smile of a stranger on the street
• Aroma of my favorite essential oil and when people say, “You smell so good!”

Continue to mark pleasant sense experiences in your mind and carry them throughout your day to increase your spirits.

10. Don’t make your intimate relationships the end-all-be-all.

I used to think the person I was in a relationship with was there to give me my happiness rather than increase it.

Happy people understand that those they are in relationship with are an “addition to,” not a completion of them. They live full lives so that at the end of the day they have so much more to share.
A loving reminder: Don’t rely on your partners to shift your moods, heal you, or fill your empty spaces. And remember it’s not your responsibility to do that for your partner either.

Support is an important part of relationship. We’re there on the bad days with compassion and a loving embrace. We’re there on the good days to cheer.

But mostly, we rely on ourselves to give that to ourselves. We trust that our partners can wrestle with their own demons. We offer space for them to discover his or her happiness, while we focus on creating our own.

What might you put your focus on to continue to increase your own happiness?

Read More: http://tinybuddha.com/blog/10-things-happy-people-do-to-stay-happy/

Nepal Earthquake

Nepal earthquake: Death toll rises above 3,000

At least 3,218 people are now known to have died in a massive earthquake which hit Nepal on Saturday, say officials.

Rameshwor Dangal, head of Nepal's disaster management agency, said another 6,500 people had been injured.

Dozens of people are also reported to have been killed in neighbouring China and India.

Thousands have spent a second night outside after the 7.8-magnitude quake, which also triggered deadly avalanches on Mount Everest.

Vast tent cities have sprung up in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, for those displaced or afraid to return to their homes as strong aftershocks continue.

"We don't have a choice, our house is shaky. The rain is seeping in but what can we do?" 34-year-old shopkeeper Rabi Shrestha, who was sleeping by the roadside with his family, told AFP news agency.

Rescue missions and aid have started arriving to help cope with the aftermath of the earthquake, the worst to hit Nepal for more than 80 years.- Read More: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32475030

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Nepal earthquake was a 'nightmare waiting to happen': Experts knew disaster was coming and were in Kathmandu preparing just a week ago.

• Earthquake experts met in Kathmandu last week to plan for similar disaster
• Scientists discussed how the overdeveloped area would cope with chaos
• At least 2,500 people across four countries have died in the earthquake
• Hundreds are still missing after avalanches buried Everest basecamp
• The quake struck just 11km beneath ground making its force even more destructive

- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3055731/Nepal-earthquake-nightmare-waiting-happen-Experts-knew-disaster-coming-Kathmandu-preparing-just-week-ago.html

The High Income MPs

Congratulations to our MPs whom just recently gave themselves an awesome pay hike which was passed in Parliament without a single objection. I suppose it was expected since the recent Selangor ADUN's massive pay hike not long ago. So much for austerity...

Since many swear by meritocracy and attracting talent with higher pay,  I wonder if finally, we will we be able to attract better quality people to serve us. Hahahaha... nah... that was a joke. Anyway, there are many who thinks they deserve the salary & allowance increments, which will more than double the current cost to the government. But hey, who are we to say otherwise...

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Published: Saturday April 11, 2015 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Saturday April 11, 2015 MYT 12:27:28 PM

MPs give themselves a big raise 

PARLIAMENTARIANS have passed a Bill to raise their allowance from RM6,508 to RM16,000, a 146% jump.

The Members of Parliament (Remuneration) (Amendment) Bill was initially deferred for its second reading in last November after lawmakers sought to review the quantum of increase.

On Nov 28, MPs from both sides of the political divide agreed to relook the revision that will increase the allowance from RM6,508 to RM11,000.

The Bill, passed by the House yesterday without any objections, will also see the allowances for Senators increased from RM7,000 to RM11,000.

The allowance for the Senate president and the Dewan Rakyat Speaker was also raised from RM20,000 to RM31,000, while their respective deputies will see theirs revised to RM22,000, up from the initial proposal of RM16,000.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the new allowances would see the cost to the Government increasing from RM14.75mil to RM31.97mil a year.

MPs’ salaries have been revised in 1992, 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.

In the 2005 review, their basic pay was increased from RM5,916.90 (in 2002) to RM6,508.59, which is not inclusive of other benefits such as a RM1,200 driver’s allowance.

- http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/11/MPs-give-themselves-a-big-raise-Bill-passed-sees-increase-of-allowance-from-RM6508-to-RM16000/

GST

This is a brief update on current issues making their rounds in the media.

GST (Goods and Services Tax)

GST has started.… Happy GST-ing!!! Well, the bottom line is, any form of tax is bad for consumers but good for the government. And it is really pointless comparing and scrutinizing the prices of every single purchase you make. Prices have been increasing due to rising costs compounded with inflation.

The government would have less problems and controversy if the rate is lower, say at 2%-3%, and minimal exemptions, which will create less shock to the system and less problems for everyone.

It is unrealistic to expect prices to fall after GST. Which is why I find it extremely patronizing and childish of the government & businesses for engaging in all the publicity exhorting absorbing GST or lower prices.

Anyway, things will cool down in a couple of months and the people will adjust to this new tax.

But the question remains, to pay or not to pay the "Service Charge" at the restaurants?

- Don’t pay extra charge if unhappy with service

Hudud

Realistically, if the majority of Malays & Muslims want it, it will be implemented regardless of political affiliations. Many seem to forget that Islamic Laws are already enforced in Malaysia in the form of Shariah Laws applicable to Muslims but not for non-Muslims. Like it or not, Malaysia is more Islamised today than it was 50 years ago. The non-Muslims should really try to face reality and take a less confrontational approach. Also, the process of passing laws in the country is quite straightforward through voting in Parliament. If it gets enough votes, the bill gets passed and becomes law. Simple.

Anyway, I don't understand what the fuss is about, especially the hysterical reaction that DAP put up against PAS. It was after all, the DAP who asked the non-Muslims to support PAS. And now that PAS proposes the Hudud Bill, DAP blames he PAS President, UMNO, even MCA? Really?

Maintenance

Selangor roads are the worst! Okay, to be fair, most roads in the country are pretty shitty, but those in Selangor really are terrible. The same goes for other services such as rubbish collection, drain cleaning, trees and parks maintenance, etc. It is an absolute disgrace! What is happening before our eyes is a breakdown in management leading to dismal performance, efficiency and responsibility. And the result? Floods, potholes, and dengue outbreak.

Problem: Selangor still tops dengue cases in the country

Action: 87 developers in Selangor to be charged

Somehow, I don't think there will be any improvements anytime soon.

Politics

Well, it's a mess. Just sit back and enjoy the 'Animal Farm' because the people really don't have any say or control over political parties and the politicians. Following the political news is really tiring. Anyway,  I think the people will slowly come to realize who really has the upper hand. Those you put in power actually do not feel beholden to you.They actually have power over you.

Lee Kuan Yew's view on Malaysia

I think Lee Kuan Yew's observation on Malaysia was indeed quite accurate.

Anyway, had Singapore remained in Malaysia, I doubt he could have done what he did and achieved the same results for Singapore, or for Malaysia.

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2015-03-25 13:29

Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
Sin Chew Daily

Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, who had spent a lifetime being the architect of Singapore's prosperity, has died. In addition to building and fostering Singapore, Lee was also very much concerned about Malaysia and had always advocated the Malaysian Malaysia concept. In his book One Man's View of the World, he wrote that people of his generation have always believed that Singapore and Malaya should exist as one, adding that the British separated us after the war and made us colonies, but we fought to merge.

Singapore and Malaya finally merged in 1963, but racial disputes continued, even resulted in clashes. It forced Lee to declare in tears the withdrawal of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia on August 9, 1965.

Lee regretted the painful history. He said that if Tunku Abdul Rahman was firm enough to soothe the radicals, build a multiracial Malaysia, and let the Chinese and Indians share power in the police, army and administrative agencies, Malaysia will be more prosperous and fair than it is today. "Much of what has been achieved in Singapore could have been replicated throughout Malaysia. Both countries would have been better off," he added.

However, there is no "if" in history and everything is now unalterable fact. Lee had played an important role and should bear a certain degree of historical responsibility in the withdrawal of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia. History will have a fair judgement on this point.
As a leader closely related to Malaysia, Lee had always observed the development of Malaysia even after the withdrawal of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia, and expressed his views.  

In his book One Man's View of the World, he commented on Malaysia:

• The population structure of Malaysia will make it more difficult to shake Malay supremacy. Many Chinese and Indians choose to leave Malaysia and emigrate to other countries.
• Race-based policies is putting Malaysia at a disadvantage. It is voluntarily shrinking the talent pool needed to build the kind of society that makes use of talent from all races. They are prepared to lose that talent in order to maintain the dominance of one race.
• Eventually, the Chinese and Indians will exert little influence at the polling booths. When that day comes, with no votes to bargain with, the Chinese and Indians cannot hope to bring about a fair and equal society for themselves.

In the eyes of Lee, the "1Malaysia" slogan had not lived up to the excitement it created. He opined that Malaysians hoping that Barisan Nasional’s 1Malaysia concept can usher in a new era for race relations may be unrealistic, but those counting on the Opposition to do the same are not very much less so, as the chance of the opposition coming to power in the near future was a very long shot. Even if it comes to power, it will be almost impossible for the PR to abolish Malay supremacy.

Describing it as "an opportunistic ad-hoc group", Lee criticised the PR for not holding together by even a vaguely coherent set of ideas but by a common desire to unseat the government. He said that as long as PR does not actually occupy Putrajaya and does not have to implement multiracial policies, some semblance of unity can be maintained within the pact. "When it comes to the crunch, however, PR will not be able to do away with Malay supremacy. The moment the bluff is called and it is handed full power to push ahead, it will either be torn apart from within or be paralysed by indecision.

"If it attempts to move in any meaningful way, PAS, a Malay-Muslim party that will hold if not a majority of seats within the coalition, then at least a significant enough share to give it veto power, would block action in an instant.

"In doing so, PAS would be responding to the same electoral pressures that Umno faces from the Malay ground, Lee said.

He said that he regarded the Malays as the camp that will always control the majority seats of the Parliament and no matter which political party replaces Umno, and becomes the main party representing Malay interests, its style will not be far from Umno's.

Many people might not agree with the above comments of Lee but his observation was indeed unique, particularly his comments on PAS, which was very sharp and worthy of pondering and vigilance!

- http://www.mysinchew.com/node/107272?tid=12

Lee Kuan Yew (16 September 1923 – 23 March 2015)

Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew dies at 91

Lee Kuan Yew, the statesman who transformed Singapore from a small port city into a wealthy global hub, has died at the age of 91.

The city-state's prime minister for 31 years, he was widely respected as the architect of Singapore's prosperity.

But he was criticised for his iron grip on power. Under him freedom of speech was tightly restricted and political opponents were targeted by the courts.

A state funeral will be held on 29 March, after a week of mourning.

Read more here - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32012346

More Info:
http://www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg
http://www.facebook.com/rememberingleekuanyew

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He delivered on his promise to Singaporeans, which was to provide them with the basic needs like food, shelter, security, etc. and transform the island into a first world country.