Police brutality in Malaysia. Where does it start from ?

This is an observation, and not any condemnation in showing the videos. But cannot help to think what prompts our law enforcers to behave so brutishly during the Bersih  crackdowns.

And when we reflect that displayed behaviour onto all the  deaths in custody and police brutality cases. The videos offer a small insight on the way they react to stressful confrontational situations and how they may behave and how much courtesy they will be allowing when it comes to ordinary police work involving criminal suspects.

In situations shown in the videos ,they are behaving like  mob mentality. They seem to have a greenlight to go on a violent rampage  because they feel the power to do so. Bashing whatever comes their way, just because they can. Professionalism and discipline in carrying SOP completely out the window. Aren't they suppose to be trained better in the academy?

  Almost every video i viewed of the Bersih crackdowns seem to suggest a pattern of behaviour or misbehaviour of our boys in blue that does not vary very much when it comes to arresting protesters. To be fair, there are the responsible ones who displayed exemplary self control and professionalism in carrying out arrest , observing SOP as they should be doing. There were even some of these officers stopping their colleagues from the senseless brutality and shielding the victims.

 But even  a few incidents of the brutal behaviour is alarming enough to be very concerned about.It shows the mentality and lack of discipline among our PDRM crews.

  Viewing the videos ,it can be seen that  the person/persons being arrested has already been subdued, still you can witness the cops continuing their physical brutality on the person. Ganging up to cause pain, exhibiting a sadistic streak of pleasure being derived from the violence inflicted on another human. Ostensibly to teach the victims of their physical assault  a lesson but not realizing it is not their place to do so. Their job is to arrest and neutralize of which they clearly have done so..

The display of a complete lack in self restraint and professionalism is disturbing.  Power over another human being is very dangerous if abused.

Where does this type of  behaviour come from , because it shocks decent law abiding citizens.

These rank and file cops really need guidance and to be instilled in them ,more discipline in self restraint.  Something that basic training in the academy should inculcate in them is to respect people's rights  and above all the law that they  represent.
 Enforce the law  by all means and if it is deemed that the crowd is getting too disorderly , their  job is to  neutralize the situation by making arrests - that is understandable - but  not behave like gangsters beating up defenceless individuals, even after they have been subdued. They cannot just react to their basest of instinct for violence. That instinct needs to be trained out of them that they can do their jobs more effectively and earn the trust and respect of those they are pledged to serve and protect.

They still fear authority but lack  proper guidance and  training.
See how in the video below they dispersed when Tian Chua stepped in to stop the brutality.

  The police are not ordinary citizens.  They cannot behave like an unruly mob. Profesionalism is expected from them. So where does the training to have that mindset in professional and disciplined police work start from ?
 I would say during the police academy training and continue on after they have joined the force.




The videos above and  below shows very clearly , gang mentality, the arrested person was not resisting and still he was ganged up upon. You wonder what is in the minds of the police during this situation. Were they angry and lashing out at the most convenient scapegoat they could get their hands on. Surrendering to basest of instint to cause harm or caving in to the pressure of the situation.? What happened to cool heads under pressure that law enforcement are supposed to indoctrinate into their adherents ?

 But again , they are supposed to be disciplined pros. Above and in control at all times of the weaknesses of basic human emotions to just react in violent reprisal -  so that they can perform their duties efficiently. It is expected of them as guardians of the peace.


 But watching the video below , you cannot help but feel that , if minus  the uniforms , they are typically behaving exactly the same as expected from any unruly mob attacking a perceived enemy.
What do they teach and  indoctrinate in them during basic training?
Also more worrying , is this the existing culture that is still prevalent and acceptable within the force and is taken for granted that it is how things are done?
Notice also that those commiting the brutality are mostly youths, probably fresh out on the beat,their ages not far from the Mat Rempits, except they are on the other side. There are some videos of the plainclothes detctives as well, likely of the same ilk as those who do interrogation on suspects in custody. And they were even more aggresive  as if ingrained in their mindsets to be like that.
     People in any organisation  are shaped by the environment they work in and determines how they will approach their duties, if it is any reflection, these type of reaction mirrors very much on the institutional culture and mindsets in the PDRM.
 A thorough overhaul of culture and mindsets starting from the grassroots and basic training all the way to the existing top ranks is sorely needed to transform the force into a sleek,disciplined  and efficient organization trusted and appreciated by the people.

 It is not the methods of policing on trial in the court of public opinion but the attitudes of those in the whole institution!
                                         Bryanbb



Also see , police brutality of the good old days ,standards apply

              PDRM , Bullies or Defenders

Protest continues in Turkey despite concessions by goverment! Defiance vowed till demands are met.

• 
  T he protest has gone on for 2 weeks and still defiance is shown in spite of concessionary attempts by the goverment
   . When passions are aroused , it will take a lot of effort to put out the flames raging in the hearts of ordinary citizens. And all they want is to be heard and acknowledged in the beginning.
   Is there going to be a parallel situation in our nation? Lets hope not.!
  
  
  
  
   Protesters sit on the steps of Gezi Park of Taksim Square in Istanbul, Saturday, June 15, 2013. Protesters will press on with their sit-in at an Istanbul park.

• View Photo
  A protester sleeping on a bench …
• View Photo
  A bulldozer cleans the entrance …

ISTANBUL (AP) — Protesters will press on with their sit-in at anIstanbul park, an activist said Saturday, defying government appeals and a warning from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoganfor the two-week standoff that has fanned nationwide demonstrations to end.

The announcement from Taksim Solidarity, an umbrella group of protest movements in Gezi Park, is likely to return the spotlight on Erdogan's government — and how it will respond. He already has offered to defer to a court ruling on the legality of the government's contested park redevelopment plan, and floated the possibility of a referendum on it.

But concessions over the park seem to no longer be enough. A violent police crackdown on what began as an environmental protest over a redevelopment plan sparked a much broader expression of discontent about Erdogan's government and what many said was his increasingly authoritarian manner of governing.

Erdogan, who was elected with 50 percent of the vote for his third term in 2011, vehemently rejects the accusations. But the protests put some of the greatest political pressure on him in his 10-year tenure.

Earlier this week, Erdogan ordered the adjacent Taksim Square to be cleared of protesters who had also been staging a sit-in there. Police moved past improvised barricades on Tuesday, firing tear gasand rubber bullets and using water cannons to fend off small groups of demonstrators throwing stones, bottles and firebombs. Tear gas was also fired through the trees into the park, although the protesters were not removed.

Taksim Square itself returned to normal right after the end of the police operation early Wednesday. Traffic returned, the protest banners and flags were taken down, and cafes set up their chairs and tables outside again. At night, demonstrators still spill out from the park down the steps, while riot police keep watch from the edges.

Tayfun Kahraman — a Taksim Solidarity member who met with Erdogan in last-ditch talks that lasted until the pre-dawn hours Friday — said the protesters had agreed to continue their sit-in at Gezi Park after holding a series of discussions about their response to the pledges made by Erdogan.

"We shall remain in the park until all of our democratic rights are recognized," he told The Associated Press, insisting that four key demands laid out by protesters in the talks had not been met.

The group has demanded that apart from the park being left intact, anyone responsible for excessive police force must resign or be fired, all activists detained in the protests should be released, and the police use of tear gas and other non-lethal weapons be banned.

"As of today, with the dynamism and strength that comes from the struggle that has spread to the whole country, and even the world, we shall continue the resistance against all kinds of injustice and victimization in our country," Taksim Solidarity said in a statement posted on its website and later read out in the park. The group didn't say explicitly that it would remain in the park.

As the statement was read out, many among the gathered crowd clapped and began shouting, "This is just the beginning — the struggle continues!"

Although the most prominent group to emerge from the protests, Taksim Solidarity doesn't speak for everyone occupying Gezi. With many protesters saying they have no affiliation to any group or political party, many could make individual decisions on whether to stay or leave.

But there were few signs of anyone intending to pack up Saturday afternoon, and the daily activity in what has become a tent city continued with little indication of change. Deliveries of bottles of water and food arrived, people lined up for servings of lunch, while others cleared garbage and swept the paths clean after the morning rain.

According to the government's redevelopment plan for Taksim Square, the park would be replaced with a replica Ottoman-era barracks. Under initial plans, the construction would have housed a shopping mall, though that has since been amended to the possibility of an opera house, a theater and a museum with cafes.

Protesters angered by the project began occupying the park last month, but the police crackdown on May 31 saw the demonstrations spread to dozens of cities across the country. In recent days they have concentrated on Istanbul and the capital, Ankara.

The anger has been fanned because riot police have at times used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse mostly peaceful protesters. Five people, including a police officer, have died and thousands of people have been injured — denting Erdogan's international reputation.

The announcement from Taksim Solidarity came as Erdogan's supporters were gearing up for their own pro-government rallies on Saturday and Sunday in Ankara and Istanbul.

On Thursday, Erdogan issued a "final" warning that the protesters must leave the park.

Earlier Saturday, President Abdullah Gul wrote on Twitter that "everyone should now return home," insisting that "the channels for discussion and dialogue" have opened — an apparent reference to the talks between Erdogan and a small group of delegates from the protest.

Overnight, police firing water cannon and tear gas dispersed protesters who erected street barricades near Turkey's parliament in the capital, Ankara. It was in the latest face-off between authorities and demonstrators over the park redevelopment plan and the police handling of the earliest days of the protests.

sourced from;  Yahoo news

Death is not the Tragedy,

It is not Death, The tragedy. But the Life that goes before it.

by E. Paul Newell

All humans have just one thing in common, that is the ultimated and pre-arranged end to the unusual struggles of life. Death.

No one gets out in any other fashion, and no one (in spite of what any reader may think, or believe) dies in any special way. 

In a sea of energy, the human, swims the upstream battle of life against the natural elements put before them. These elements are harsh indeed, however over the last thousands of years humans have managed and maintained presents, faced with these basic elements of nature.

 Overcoming and overwhelming in some cases. In order to live in the elements in a comfortable fashion the human must make compromises, and adaptions.
 Still all in all it is a struggle and a “fight to the bitter end”.
 In the end, (being death), it’s as common and natural as birth.
 As you enter the light from darkness, so shall you return to that darkness, of “ever lasting peace” and “tranquil glory”, for the energy itself can neither be “created nor destroyed”.

Let’s examine the “struggle” . Dr.’s, and other experts say that being born is the most traumatic event any human will ever endure. The ”trauma” they say, is the fact that your big, goofy looking baby head (average 12 inch circumference) while exiting the birthing canal must be pressure fitted through an opening that is just nine centimeters in diameter.
Yes you do the math. In order for it to fit the skull plates must overlap each other and be pressurized in order to make that transition.
 Also the fact of being encased in a protective and warm womb for nine months, only to be ejected outwards into a very cold and sterile world, where everything and everybody wants a piece of you.
 Good Luck.

Today however it is not just the elements that we face it is also the new wave of intentional violence perpetrated on the unknowing and manipulated by other humans.
These new elements induced upon the common human are paid for and concocted up by “the common humans” dime, nickel, what have you.
 But are implemented by just a few freaks, who are leading the freak show.

What can be made of this intentional violence? Human on Human. Only that it is wanton behaviour.
Only that it is needless.

Only that in no way does it serve as any great or advancing cause, noble or creative endeavor.
Only that the nature of this behaviour is the cause of added struggle and hardship heaped upon the most basics of the human population.

The only apparent end to this type of crime is purely entertainment.
As seen in every shape and form through the media re-port. As well as vid/games, where players can kill, maim, and rape at will, in their virtual world.

Humans have a keen curiosity into the morbid aspects of life.

Therefore the supply and demand order ( death, destruction, gore) of the epoch is prevailing.
The talking heads are spinning vertigo to the viewer’s delight.
 The viewer’s heads are spinning so fast that up has become down and down is now up. Sideways is now backwards.
Forward thinking has been rendered redundant. Not necessary. And, not welcomed in the world of intentional violence.

By the way, god is not coming, nor is Jesus not aliens or spirits from the ethers, there will be no outside help to save the pathetic human race.

Tesla was here once with his gifts for all, but humans destroyed him. For malice, greed, and control. He won’t be back.

Did you ever wonder why there were “prophets” way back in the day, but none since and none now, ever wonder why there where saints way back in the day to try and save souls, but none now .
 Is this strange? Or just arranged too?

Ever wonder, where are all the great inventions and advancements that the mind can come up with. Since the last major advancements everything has been suppressed for the sake of malice greed and control.

In the end each person will die, but how they live will determine how they die.

There is a “heaven” and there is a “hell”, however they exist only in your mind’s eye. And you experience these two aspects of life, during your life on earth, not after.

In ”heaven” the brain functions on an even keel , with common, cognitive thinking, therefore smooth transitioning and movement forward through time.

In “hell” the brain is like frying scrambled eggs, or a dog’s breakfast, always in a state of chaos, confusion, dark clouded thoughts, that only give way to morbid, grave and humiliating actions.

In the end religions have, absolutely nothing to do with your place in “heaven” or” hell”. Only you can determine your path of movement. However “religions” do have everything to do with the human death and destruction, chaos, madness, torture, greed, malice, hunger, strife, famine, over population, fear mongering, air, food, water contamination. They and their doctrine have created the living “hell” for so many for far too long.

End the tragic life now by ending man and earths most destructive unnatural element, “RELIGIONS”.

As a matter of pure fact, (read a book… any book) so blatant and obvious to anyone looking, it is all the religions that are responsible over time, for all the negative aspects of the tragedies of a human life. (other than natural elements)
even the so called “natural elements” are now under the guise of neo natural events, controlled to a degree by the “few freaks” running the “freak show”.

Think about it folks.

In the Land of the not so free but definitely the brave!

Not even the US is spared from racial morons who cannot seem to discard their prejudices.Using social media to pummel a talented Mex-American talented kid. Obviously patriotic and passionate of his nationality and proud of his ethnic roots.
  But it is heartening to note that they are the exception and not the norm.
  Why can't we just embrace diversity and chuck out irrational race based prejudices. After all we all bleed red when we get cut.

But i just loved his response when he was asked about it!

What the innocent minds perceive .!

It is so humourous how toddlers perceive their world and what they see. Especially with the quips they make that has that " where did that come from moment". Quips that make you just have a guffaw for the sheer innocence and seriousness of the remark made by the innocent observer's mind

Jack (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister.
After a while he asked: 'Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?'

Brittany (age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle.  Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her.
Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?'

Susan (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. 'Please don't give me this juice again,' she said, 'It makes my teeth cough.'

DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: 'How much do I cost?'

Clinton (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried When his Mom asked what was troubling him.
He replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married.  How will my wife fit in it?'

Marc (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: 'Why is he whispering in her mouth?'

Steven (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. 'I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window.'

Melanie (age 5)  asked her Granny how old she was.. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more.
Melanie said, 'If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties.  Mine say five to  six.'

Tammy(age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew.
Tammy  looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?'

James (age 4)was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.'  Concerned, James asked: 'What happened to the flea?'

Sunday sermon: 'Dear Lord,'  the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...'
He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

Thought provoking ! Don't you think?Malaysian tax RM at work!

Your Tax ringgit at work , spent by BN






Meantime to ensure they can continue to go on their unchecked  spending spree....





But totally ignore what is decent and dire that needs to be addresed  urgently.....

Banglas are not our Enemies!

Trust Namewee to bring to  light the situation of a misunderstood people , perhaps defuse some animosity of Malaysians towards them  and be cynical at our Goverment at  the same time.
   And it doesn't lose to make a movie out of it either.  Humour may make us more receptive to the reality and not be overly engrossed in our communal and political passions.

  I'd rather laugh or be amused at my own and societal's  shortcomings than to be outraged and start lashing out at the most convenient scapegoat. I ll be in a better balanced state of mind to start effecting a change within my self  and also be more acceptive of those around me, regardless of creed sharing this land we call home. It is Hopeful that  same sentiments can be floated around.  

The Banglas are not our enemies , they are mostly decent hardworking migrants to our country in search of better lives just like many of our own Malaysian forefathers .Lets reach out to them and get them on our good sides.

They were just exploited by the unscrupulous and  who seriously have a crisis in morality . 

                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                              Bryan

12 Jun – Actor-director Namewee has started filming his latest movie titled "Banglasia", which will include a multinational cast from Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh. The new action comedy is produced by Fred Chong who is noted for "Nasi Lemak 2.0", "Hantu Gangster" and "Kara King".

Yesterday, Executive Producer Fred Chong introduced the line-up of local and foreign talents, which include Nirab (Bangladeshi star), Saiful Apek (Malaysian star). Atikah Suhaime (Singaporean actress), Dato David Arumugam (veteran singer) and Lao Zha Bor (Singapore comedy actress).

According to Nirab, the reason that he accepted the offer to star in "Banglasia" was because he has seen some of Namewee's work and is very touched that Namewee flew all the way to Bangladesh to meet him.

"This will be Nirab's international film debut and he will be speaking Malay with the help of a Bengali translator," said Fred Chong.

When asked about the title of the film, Fred hurriedly explained, "The title of the film may sound very crude and racist, but we flew to Bangladesh to carry out our research beforehand, and we have been given the green light. As such, we are not trying to create any racial stereotyping or hate with the title "Banglasia", because the people there do use the word "bangla", so we have that Malaysians do not jump to conclusions and take it out of context," said Namewee.

Along with Nirab, it will be Singaporean actress Atikah Suhaime's first time starring in an action comedy film. The actress is currently signed under the Malaysian production company Metrowealth.

"Banglasia" will be Namewee's first fully action-packed movie. Currently, all details about the movie are kept under wraps but it has already undergone a month's worth of filming in various districts of Kuala Lumpur. The film is expected to be released during 2014's Chinese New Year.

sourced from: http://my.news.yahoo.com/namewees-next-film-banglasia-091000980.html

Ticking off from a exasperated french man-expat- foreign investor- to Malaysians

As the country continues with the "you poison my dog , i ll strangle your cat game", it must be quite befuddling to the expats in the country. This note may serve to enlighten a little on how they may seem to see us as we continue to bash each other over petty issues just to make a point. It may take a neutral observation from someone, from outside looking in to - without any emotional political baggage- to actually paint a clearer picture of the advantages of  being Malaysians. (with a command of multi lingual skills)
                                  Bryan

Dear all,

As a foreign investor in this country, it puzzles me to no end that Malaysians would fight all-day-long about their ethnicity, religion or the colour of their belly-button.

Foreign investors are not coming here for cheap labour anymore, Vietnam, and further ashore China, are far cheaper and better (little labour department there). The local market is a laugh, small in number and means, Indonesia or even Thailand are way more enticing if you look at quantity. Don't try to bluff me about common law and judiciary, unwritten rules and unpredictable judiciary rule Malaysia far out compared to Singapore. Don't even speak about >infrastructure, try taking a Malaysian taxi from KLCC to Bukit Bintang wearing a tie and sporting a laptop and you'll understand why foreign investors do not need a second trip to Malaysia. Nope, >none of these count favourably.

The very reason Malaysia (still) ends up with large semi-conductor factories, regional shared services and other multinational service >centres is, precisely, the ethnic diversity. I recently had a tax issue in Indonesia. Some obscure rules I could not even start to fathom blocked the conclusion of the yearly audit. Who sorted it out? Our Malaysian accountantwho speaks fluent bahasa flew down and got rid of the fuss in a couple of days. Had it been me, I might be in a Jakarta jail or even dead by now. I am now sourcing materials from China, needless to say I speak and write no Chinese, like most mat salleh, guess who helps me here? A Malaysian. I increasingly require Indian expertise in IT, law and finance. Needless to say, I can never hope to get through the thick accent and neither can my suppliers decipher anything I have to say. Guess who's doing the legwork? A Malaysian. Again. Surprised?

It does not stop there. I can consider myself lucky if my visiting clients from continental Europe can mutter 2 or 3 comprehensible sentences of English. Guess what they tell me once they get back

home? They love the way Malaysians speak English. It being a second language here, Malaysians go the extra mile to make themselves understood to Italian or French speakers who would have come back

from the UK or the US not having understood a thing!

Now rather than capitalise on this, Malaysians prefer to rant about ethnicity day in day out. Good for foreign devils, Malaysians seem bent on keeping us in business. Expensive (and sometimes useless)

expats are still needed in this country because Malaysians would rather have a costly foreigner on top than a plain co-national, due to wrong skin colour, religion or whatever. Thanks to the absurd

(and it pains me to stay polite) local university selection and incredible limitations, expats will be needed forever here. Contrast this with India or China. With their efficient if tough university systems. Chinese and Indian (current or former) nationals are actually taking over many Western companies' executive positions. Meanwhile Malaysian foreign graduates are happy taking up the jobs Westerners won't do at any price (e.g. dreary auditing jobs, low-pay F&B, etc.).

Proposals like DN knights' Satu Sekolah are a gunshot in Malaysia's foot. The day Malaysians shun their diversity under the guise of assimilation, Malaysia will have made sure it become Singapore's official dumping site. For Pete's sake, even the French, who used to champion assimilation all the way, are now teaching Arabic to second-generation French kids, because even they realise the potential loss.

What will make Malaysians feel like a common bangsa again? Shall we petition the British to come back so that Malaysians return to the united days of Hartal and AMCJA-PUTERA's people constitution?

Perhaps the Japanese would want to have a second shot? Or maybe the Dutch or the Portuguese?

If I were to be cynical, and I can tell you a number of my foreign clients are, I should tell you all to go on fighting one another for the crumbs. Please do tell each other "this ethnic community is lazy, that one is a bunch of avid crooks, that other one is just a bunch of miscreants", while foreigners can go on happily signing juicy deals with BN's cronies, hire the best talent for dirt cheap, rape nature (logging, gold mining anyone?), etc. but I won't. Why? I may be a silly idealist, but I still love this country, because I believe you guys can finally overcome your divisions and make this country a model for all to admire. Now, will you prove me right?

Eric

sourced: zorro -unmasked

Why we so desperately need a revival of English proficiency in our  country
http://dumdumtrivia.blogspot.com/2013/07/funny-clown-courtwhy-we-need-revival-of.html

Bangkok Airport Scams , legalized kidnapping and extortion??

 If you think our Malaysian boys in blue are bad enough as it is with “kopi” money for traffic violations or heftier sums for the corresponding breach of law. Have a read at the ingenuity of their Thai counterparts to squeeze tourist at the Bangkok airport. Clever Extortion within the law?
This is a true account and is apparently still going on selectively.

 So if you are travelling to Bangkok and have read this, don’t say you have not been forewarned. Just don’t be susceptible to petty greed when making purchases at the duty free shops inside the airport.

We have heard accounts of jet ski scams in Phuket to Pattaya ,the tuk tuk temple tour scams where you are lead to buy expensive tailor made suits made from cheapo materials  or  precious gems that are not so precious afterall, red light district scams where you are taken to certain bars and charged exorbitant sums for services and drinks and entertainment etc , but these are mainly street scams.

   Whereas this duty free shop scam  is fresh to me and done in the confines of the airport, with the complicity of the sales assistants to the  security guards and the airport cops working hand in hand. And demands for monetary settlements are amounts street scammers can only fantasize about.

Especially more targeted at Malaysians, Singaporeans or Indians who are perceived to be easier pickings because usually of the less fuss they make and just tend to let things slide. And richer perhaps than the western counterparts who will also probably raise a helluva stink if they were victimized.

Dear friends,

To those who like travelling abroad, here is a reminder.

I would like to relate an incident that happened recently. After attending a wedding in Shanghai, my cousin decided to visit Bangkok with his wife and brother in law.

To make a long story short, on the way back to KL with Air Asia, while waiting for the flight at the airport, the couple decided to wander off and do some duty free shopping.

At a duty free shop, they bought chocolates for grandkids and cigarettes for himself. And they were told that making chocolate purchases entitles them for a free gift in the form of chocolates as well.

All their purchases were placed at the cashier’s  counter and as they were about to make payment,they noticed a box of cigarettes placed on top of the 1 carton they bought on the counter , of the same brand. My cousin had paid for the chocolates and for the 1 carton of cigarettes as well and proceeded to put the purchases in a shopping bag, at first ignoring the singular box of cigarettes that was on top of his carton. 

  Then his wife pointed it out because she was under the impression that it also was a buy one free one gift as well. So he just without a second thought grabbed the box and proceeded to the departure hall to catch their flight. While they were waiting to board their flight, a security guard appeared and asked them if they had bought any cigarettes. So they responded sincerely showing the guard the items they had purchased at the duty free shop earlier, including also the box they assumed was a free gift for the cigarette purchase.

 That was when the security guard accused them of theft of the one box of cigarettes and wanted to take them to the police station to be charged for stealing. My cousin offered to pay for the cigarettes because he really thought it was a misunderstanding.

But the security guard refused and was adamant that they be brought to the airport police station. And the wife was advised to board the flight home. She refused and insisted to stay with her husband and go along to the police station. At the station, my cousin was requested to pay compensation of the sum of RM30, 000.00 if he wants to be released. Otherwise he will have to be held in custody till such time the amount is paid. Since they did not have the money and were unable to pay up, my cousin was locked up along with few other tourists that were in the same predicament.
 
And the wife had to go and stay at a friend’s place in Bangkok.

 At the jailhouse, there was actually a tourist of Indian nationality that had been locked up for over a month because his family was unable to come up with a demanded sum of USD $70,000, as he was accused of stealing a pen, when according to the guy, he was on his way to the counter to pay for it but as he was searching for the cashier counter, he mistakenly stepped out of the shop’s boundary and was immediately detained and accused of theft.

When my cousin was detained , his brother in law who was taking another flight with MAS wasn’t aware of his plight, he only found out after a text message was sent to him by the wife but by then he had already boarded the flight so was not allowed to go back to the airport. He immediately flew back to Bangkok soon as he arrived at KL on the same MAS flight. Meanwhile my cousin in KL got in touch with the Malaysian High Commision and few VIPs to inform them of the situation and see what can be done.The Bangkok police department ignored  appeals made by the Malaysian embassy staff and even some ministers from Malaysia.

The following day, as the brother in law arrived at the Bangkok airport police station from KL, he immediately proceeded to make steps to free my cousin at the lock up. The Fee for release was negotiated from Rm30,000 to a discounted sum of Rm20,000 but the brother in law only had Rm11,000 with him . After more haggling over a frustrating period, the cops finally agreed to accept the Rm11,000. And would you know it , my cousin had not even being released from the lock up yet and they were already dividing the loot amongst themselves smugly. And to top it off, they were gleefully showing of all the foreign currency they had accumulated with this scam without any hint of shame or remorse from the ill gotten gains. 

Next day, my cousin was brought to a magistrate court where he was dealt with through a window. He was asked to plead guilty and was fined 2,000 baht (RM200) for the trouble, what happened to the RM11,000? No mention at all.

Fortunately, my cousin remembered an account of another tourist that was charged together with him and had tried to leave the country without asking for documentation verifying absolution for arrest and hence was detained again at the airport. SO my cousin requested them to issue a letter stating that his case had been resolved and he was allowed to return to his country.

To further compound things, as he was about to purchase a flight ticket back, (apparently the flight tickets are managed by the Bangkok immigration department).he was told that Air Asia flight tickets were sold out.Only available were MAS tickets which were more expensive. But when he wanted to use his credit card to purchase the MAS ticket since he was low on cash, and he stated that he had only enough cash to buy Air Asia, mysteriously ,the ticketing officer said that there were seats available on Air Asia after all...... (As if every stage there is a loophole for advantage exploiting)

The immigration dept. stamped on my cousin’s pasport and his wife’s as 'Thief'!  Not only that, he had to endure the humiliation of being handcuffed and brought to the plane. His passport was handed over to the crew of Air Asia and upon arrival at KL , KL immigration was asked to accompany him to their office at LCCT.


And it was there that my cousin was told that incidences like this happen all the time to our citizens but strangely , it has being kept under wraps.

 Our embassy officials also stated the same  and advised my cousin to inform his family and close friends not to go to Thailand for the time being until the political situation there stabilizes a bit. 

If these events had not happened to my kin, I might not have believed it..  seems so much like a movie plot, but believe it, it actually happened!

 Translated from the Malay version here:

http://maemahi.blogspot.com/2013/06/berhati2-ketika-melancong-ke-thailand.html

QUOTES BY THE FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS ON OPPRESSION !

WELL, GRASSHOPPER, LOOKS LIKE THE ANTS HAVE WISED UP AND ARE GATHERING!

                                     GIMME UR VOTE OR I LL SHOOT YOU IN THE FACE!!

Why scuba diving is so darn popular!

It is all about wet fun , underwater


http://scubadiversions.blogspot.com

Texting or FB ing or Twittering while driving..DON'T..! This Graphic video will make you think twice!

EVERY driver should see this, especially teens. It is very graphic and is recommended for 18 and older but if they wait till 18 to see it, they may not reach 18. Stuff like these happen all too often.
  PARENTS: Watch this by yourself first then WITH your kids. Explain to them that if they HAVE TO use their phone apps ,gadgets or text, pull over and stop in a SAFE location first, THEN use it.

This is the video that Rafizi meant by "Gantoi" , Zaid Hamidi.! Judge for yourself!

PKR has accused Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of spending more than 10 times the RM200,000 expense limit for his parliamentary seat campaign in GE13, to the tune of over RM2 million.

It has filed two election petitions against Zahid, accusing him of buying votes and overspending in the May 5 general election campaign.

Both petitions refer to videos posted by Zahid himself on his official website, stating that he had recruited 24,000 Bagan Datoh BN supporters, who are also local voters, as campaign workers in his run for the seat.

He also admitted, on video, to giving them RM100 and 5kg of rice each.

"He thinks he is smart in recruiting them as campaign workers and paying them, but on both counts he kantoi (is busted)," PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli told a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

In the first petition, PKR is claiming that what Zahid did, despite the payments to voters camouflaged as benefits to campaign workers, was outright vote buying and therefore an offence under the Election Offences Act.

The second petition accuses Zahid of illegally recruiting too many workers and using more money than he is allowed to under election regulations.

PKR is arguing that the amount of money needed to pay 24,000 'campaign workers' RM100 and 5kg of rice each, works out to more than RM2 million, which is over 10 times the RM200,000 limit imposed for a parliamentary seat campaign.

You can't please everyone all the time, so why bother!

Since ,you can't please everyone, so just gotta please yourself !