Malaysia’s Defining Moment and the New Economic Agenda - Singapore CLSA Keynote Speech

Keynote address by Anwar Ibrahim on 20th May 2008 at the CLSA Corporate Access Forum in Singapore, a high-profile gathering of corporate decision makers of the region’s most interesting companies and investment bodies.

Ladies and Gentleman.

On the eighth of March, with fortitude and conviction the people of Malaysia sent a clear message to the powers that be they would not continue to tolerate a corrupt and incompetent government. With resoluteness hitherto unseen they voted the Barisan Nasional out of office in four states and terminated their stranglehold two-third majority in Parliament. In the final toll, the Pakatan Rakyat, that is, the People’s Alliance, now controls five states accounting for about 60% of the nation’s GDP. Additionally, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur is almost entirely represented by Pakatan representatives in Parliament. After being in power for five decades, the Barisan Nasional meanwhile is still in comatose under this knock out defeat while its dominant and dominating anchor party UMNO is in utter turmoil.

In this defining moment of Malaysia’s history, the courage and singularity of purpose of the people has

been extraordinary. Having suffered the slings and arrows of an outrageous regime that had become very cozy with the culture of corruption, wastage and misuse of power, the people marched headlong into the battlefield and took the bull by the horns.
To my mind, the eighth of March, 2008 is the metaphor for the birth of a new era where the mill stone of race and religion which had been our burden to bear for the last fifty years has finally been shattered. With one stroke of the mighty pen, notwithstanding the overwhelming forces of electoral fraud and collusion of the organs of state, the people transformed the political landscape of the nation.
This will be a new chapter indeed for Malaysia indeed as it was for Indonesia not too long ago when the waves of reformasi swept the country taking it out of dictatorship to democracy. In a way, it was also for Myanmar though tragically the iron hand of military oppression proved far stronger than the earnest cries for justice and liberty.
A New Economic Agenda has been crafted borne of a long-term strategic vision to develop Malaysia into a prosperous and dynamic society competitive not just in the region, but in the world. We are not talking about knee-jerk reactions or strategies calculated to gain political mileage. This Agenda is a comprehensive program that we earnestly believe is sustainable in the long run.According to a recent survey, young Malaysians are now open to more multi-racial socio-economic policies as opposed to race-based ones. The general consensus is that affirmative action should be given to the poor and the marginalized regardless of race or religion. Notions of social dominance and racial superiority find no resonance among the people except for those diehards still bigoted over ancient and archaic forms of political ideology. Continue reading ‘Malaysia’s Defining Moment and the New Economic Agenda - Singapore CLSA Keynote Speech’

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2008(hockey)

The men’s team of Argentina defeated India in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia. The Argentine team defeated India 2-1 in this seven nations event.
The final was a clash between two teams that didn’t qualify for the Olympic Games. After the normal 70 minutes of play, Argentina and India drew 1-1. It was captain Mario Almada who scored the golden goal and gave Argentina the 2-1 victory.
New Zealand grabbed the bronze medal after a 2-1 victory over Pakistan. Canada finished fifth, Belgium sixth and Malaysia seventh.

olympic hockey

Australian Nathan Eglington ruled out of Beijing Olympics
22 May 2008 06:54

Hockey Australia announces that Nathan Eglington will not be available for the 2008 Olympic Games after tearing his abductor muscle at a recent training session.

Eglington significantly tore the abductor muscle in his left groin at training over a month ago and was ruled out of contention to compete at the Olympics after consultation with the Kookaburras medical staff this week.

The injury occurred during a standard structure drill with scans revealing he had completely torn one tendon and another was hanging by a thread.

Reluctant to have surgery immediately and ruin his chance of a possible comeback, Eglington and the Kookaburras medical staff sought opinions from various medical professionals including those involved with the West Coast Eagles Football Club, Fremantle Dockers Football Club and the Australian Institute of Sport.

It was initially hoped that if the injury had time to heal naturally it could be reassessed and he could come back in time for the Olympics.

However after a surgeon confirmed the injury wasn't making any progress, Eglington in consultation with coach Barry Dancer was forced to face the hard fact that he would be unavailable to play. Eglington will now be out of action for at least six months.

Eglington, who has played 136 international matches and scored 47 goals, was a significant contributor to the team's efforts at the 2004 Athens Olympics which saw the Kookaburras win the gold medal for the first time in 48 years.

"Obviously this is the most devastating injury that I have suffered throughout my career. I don't think it has really sunk in yet that I will be missing the Games but I am trying to put on a brave face for all the boys back at training, but I'm obviously shattered," said Eglington

"To have worked so hard for three and a bit years and then have this happen, it is quite devastating. Probably the most frustrating thing is that over the past twelve months I have been completely injury free and have been in fairly consistent form recently. I think I'm still in shock and to be honest I don't think it will really sink in until the Olympics arrive."

Eglington will make a decision on his career at the end of 2008 and will not travel to Beijing with the team.

"At this stage I won't make a decision on 2009 until the end of the year. What has happened is devastating but even though I won't be in the team I obviously wish the rest of the guys the best of luck as we try and win back to back gold medals. To do so will be fantastic, not only for the team but for hockey in Australia."

Coach Barry Dancer said Eglington would receive the full support of Kookaburras team.

"The full squad and support staff have great empathy for Nathan's situation. He has been a very exciting and valuable player for the Kookaburras and has contributed significantly to the success of the team over an extended period.

We are all hoping he has a full recovery and the opportunity to perform in international hockey at such a high level again." Said Dancer.

Source: Hockey Australia

Report: Mourinho, Inter Milan reach agreement

According to Portuguese sports daily A Bola, José Mourinho and Inter Milan have come to an agreement for the former Chelsea man to replace Roberto Mancini as coach.
It was reported in the Italian press earlier Monday that Mourinho had made up his mind that he wanted the job at Inter, but had issued club president Massimo Moratti a deadline of midnight to make or break the deal.
Moratti, who was said to be having second thoughts about whether or not to keep Mancini on, has now, according to A Bola, decided that Mourinho is indeed his man.
The 45-year-old has apparently been handed a three-year contract at San Siro, and will earn $14 million per season.
As part of the deal, Mourinho will immediately be allowed to sign former players Frank Lampard from Chelsea and Deco from Barcelona, while Luís Figo will be handed a one-year extension to his current contract that runs out next month.
The Mancini era, which yielded three successive Scudetti, appears now to be over, although it must be noted that there is still no official confirmation.