Archives:
November 1999
The Hari Ini column is available daily on the Asian Business Strategy & Street Intelligence Ezine home page. Sure.. go there now for more of the same. At least it's fresher...
This page contains one month of the archives.
The Hari Ini column documents off-the cuff comments, very odd spots, unsubstantiated rumours, misinterpretations, cruel innuendo, limp jokes, dodgy links, tips lacking in credibility, and other material very roughly related to Asian business, marketing, management, culture, politics, economics and why the earth is round.
Some of the items emerge into sections later on; some are contributed by email or word of mouth by friends of the forum, columnists, editorial advisors, and the Chao Phraya River Rat.
..Most of it just ends up here...
Basically it means we can at least comment on happenings that we wouldn't otherwise have the time to.
"Hari Ini" means "Today" in both Malaysian and Indonesian.
..Which means that everything on this page is already outta date...
As the masthead suggests, this column also includes all the news that doesn't fit..
It also means we can add some lightheartedness and CNN type shallowness to our otherwise more serious content. As CNN proves, such content sells...
Mostly the column just reflects the mood of the editors on the day, and gives a potted summary of key issues in the region. If you want it to reflect your mood as well, email us contributions at chiyo@apmforum.com.
Chiyo Hyiuiki (Webmaster, and on behalf of the editors)
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Bangkok: Friday 26th November 1999 |
 Riding high with an economy where foreign investment has soared astronomically in recent years, South Korea's Kim is starting to take more of a regional leadership role, arguing at the current ASEAN informal summit Manila that ASEAN and East Asia have many similarities and need to work together more. | A step towards an Asian currency board at the same forum, where finance ministers agrees to meet twice yearly to review the monetary situation in each country. | Industrial Finance Corporation of Thailand has raised their estimates of next year's economic growth from 3.5% to 4.5%, mirroring upwards estimates of almost all Asian crisis affected economies of late from both national and international bodies. | Meanwhile Estrada has increased incentives for multinationals to set up their HQ's in the Philippines. Slipping back to movie star mode, Erap stated that the Philippines will make "...an offer that multinationals cannot refuse". Those who have seen his movies may be excused for shuddering... | Not only celebrities like Thailand's Angkana Timdee, featured in yesterday's Hari Ini, suffer body part exchanges at the whim of the press. Angkana Timdee lost her body; Malaysia's Anwar lost his head. According to Asia Photo dot Com's Lance Lee, the Chinese language newspaper Sin Chew Jit Poh replaced Anwar's head with that of incumbent Deputy PM Abdullah Ahmad in a photo taken in 1995 of Mahathir and colleagues at a political shin-dig and published on Nov 14th. The forgery was uncovered by a Web site, and Lee explains "...the newspaper's Editor-in-chief, Liew Chen Chuan, wrote to the website to explain and to apologise for, in his own words, "a violation of a cardinal principle of journalism". He further added that the junior sub-editor responsible for the alteration did that because "he felt that, as Anwar Ibrahim was no longer in the Barisan Nasional (the governing party), his presence in that photograph was inappropriate..." No retraction was printed in the newspaper however. Lee's site also has a discussion underway on the issue. It's pretty easy to doctor photos OR interviews. UNMO youth leader Hishamuddin would have been surprised to see a photo of him and his wife on a Website with beer in hand, and Islamic party PAS doctored a letter from Mahathir suggesting Malaysia work with Israelis closer, (A particularly shoddy attempt - PAS should learn from their foes that if you're going to tell lies make sure they are bloody good ones). The latest BN advertisment suggests that Anwar's wife said in a TV interview with OZ TV that she didn't trust Anwar, when in fact the answer was to a different question altogether. The list goes on and on in a Malaysian election campaign where the competition is on for who can tell the biggest lie. As for us, we have some sympathy for the principal on politicians.. "...Don't vote... It only encourages them..." | Don't bother also phoning any Malaysian colleagues on Monday. It's a public holiday for the elections |
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Bangkok: Thursday 25th November 1999 |
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Hari Ini is taking a break today as readership usually goes down on US holidays. We reprint yesterday's Hari Ini however, and wish all our American readers a happy thanksgiving. If you are in Bangkok today join some of the APMF crew at the Thanksgiving feast at Bourbon Street Restaurant, (Cajun creole food, gumbo, soft shell crab and Jambalaya!) Soi 22, Sukumvit from 3 pm. Directions at 259 0328. We're not Americans but any excuse for some CRAWFISH...
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Bangkok: Wednesday 24th November 1999 |
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Prices, especially of property, are still in a downward slide in Hong Kong, according to the Asian Wall Street Journal, with the CPI index falling from a high of 119 in May 1998 to 112 today. Not such a bad thing, as it makes Hong Kong more competitive. Singapore, which has had a marked competitive advantage over Hongkers in business costs and has gained in the last 2 years because of it, is looking on warily. | With all the color of the Malaysian election, many wuld not realise that the New Zealand election is also on next week. According to Kiwi friends of the Rat, Shipley will be shipped out. The Greens may well hold the balance of power. As for business, it's Tweedledum and Tweedledee in Kiwi land, so the election is not that significant for us. Misogynists beware.. the labor opposition leader is also of the fairer sex. | And talking of fair sex, Thai thespian and crooner Angkana Timdee was bamboozled to find some of her modelling shoots doctored on the Web replacing her body with that of a lady much more... well... liberated.... The Thais are a very modest race when it comes to exposing body parts and a furore has broken out in the press. There are plenty of Page 3 girls in the Thai paper press but the naughty bits are always discreetly covered by callisthenic-classes-trained limbs and strips of one-piece bathing suits hanging on for dear life. Recently a new top of the class graduate was criticised harshly for posing in a Thai men's magazine, and almost had her degree stripped away. Even before that, a Thai psychology student was almost barred from entering the profession when it was found she participated in a beauty contest. Some eminent Thai pyschos explained that psychiatry and beauty were mutually exclusive.. we are sure its got something to do with mind-body duality and post-Freudian backlashes. At the same time, Thai women policeman were ordered to increase the length of their skirts. "...Now, how can I find a husband!..." bewailed one female copper. - Its a dirty job and some one has to do it, so we set our long suffering Webmaster Chiyo, a very modest Asian herself, on a search of the Internet to find something on the violated Angkana. Here, it is - all G rated pictures of the REAL Angkana showing her charms ..Now who can say the APMF is boring and doesn't have any pretty pictures! | We've featured many times guides on business customs in Asia. One recent set, and indeed the best we have found so far, is from the Dow Jones career pages, with concise guides to customs in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines. Probably mostly all known to APMF regulars, but much more interesting is the even more strange and perculiar customs of our Western neighbours. See for example, Australia, US, and the United Kingdom. Most interesting is that Australians usually dont use academic qualifications (Hell, all those bits of cardboard and they don't let you know!!??), and they sit in the front of the taxi with the driver rather than putting on airs by sitting in the back like the rest of us. Americans say "See you later" when they never intend to, and there is no set ritual for exchanging business cards. However it is in the UK that we have to be the most careful not to hurt the sensibilities of the Brits. Among the sites tips... "...A British business associate may invite you to watch cricket or to the regatta. Both are prestigious events. Wear your tweed sport coat or blue blazer..." (Ethel! ...get out the Singer sewing machine...)... "...Keep your hands on the table at all times during the meal -- not in your lap. (What!, you mean you have to feed yourself?...) However, take care to keep your elbows off the table..." "...Don't smoke before the toast to the Queen..." Well we know that the English have difficulty getting excited about anything other than soccer matches and Paul Keating patting the Queen on the posterior. Hence their reserved and minimalist nature. As the guide says.. "...The English avoid speaking in superlatives. "I am quite pleased," means they are extremely happy...". "...Never try to sound British or mimic their accent. Humor is ever-present in English life. It is often self-deprecating, ribbing, sarcastic, sexist or racist. Try not to take offense.". Hell, after that lot, doing business in Asia is a piece of cake... |
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Bangkok: Tuesday 23rd November 1999 |
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It's a good news day with unemployment decreasing in South Korea to 5%, the lowest in 21 months, and Taiwan also recording a slight fall despite the earthquake. The Asian Development Bank also today revised their growth estimates for China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand, upping the estimate for regional growth next year to 5.7%, 2% up on the last estimates. Add the undoubted good news for Malaysia tomorrow with release of quarterly economic statistics and we could even be tempted to SMILE (:-) | Holiday today in Japan... that's why they are not answering the phone... | The new Bangkok airport is running months behind schedule. Major cause cited is the escalating cost of a glass roof, the materials for which need to be imported, and which has increased the cost substantially... Now that's taking transparency too far... | It's been a bad year for top pollies. Anwar's in the big house, Soeharto spends his days watching the Discovery channel and defending his name, Chevalit still blusters around but seems like he's lost his mind, Ramos has been investigated by the incoming administration for corruption, and Sharif in Pakistan is also under trial for charges which, if proven, carry the death penalty. Communist Vietnam is not excluded. The deputy leader last week was arrested for corruption charges. It's tough at the top for sure... | And talking of it being tough at the top, Thai PM Chuan's chaffeur was caught red handed with pirate CD's outside the boss's house. A shadowy Malaysian business man is also under investigation. Meanwhile at Panthip Plaza pirate CD's remain as available as ever under the watchful eye of the local coppers and four Mr Big's, one of which is rumoured to have close relationships with a top Democrat pollie. | The University of Otago will host the 13th International NZASIA [The New Zealand Asian Studies Society] Conference from Wednesday, Nov 24, to Saturday, Nov 27, 1999. The theme of the conference will be 'Asian Nationalisms in an Age of Globalization'.
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Bangkok: Monday 22nd November 1999 |
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Loy Krathong in Thailand today, where Thai's float small banana leaf "boats" adorned with flowers, joss sticks and 3 candles down any available waterway, including, in a paen to urbanization, swimming pools - if you can't make it to the river... After high tide, and the rainy season, floating a Krathong pays homage to the goddess of water and fights off bad luck. Despite the principle that casting off your boat leaves your fate up to the gods, many a Thai however has found that going down to the river with their tilac for Loy Krathong results in marriage. ...The God's must be crazy... Regardless, Happy Loy Krathong to all! | No silicon valley for Asia until we streamline our management and decision-making says an AFP report on the Asia Pacific Information Summit in San Francisco. A lot of entrepreneurs and risk takers here... but not enough smart money willing to do the same. Other reports from Singapore last week are suggesting that Malaysian entrepreneurs are taking their ideas to Singaporeans rather than the new KLCC cyberjaya. Traditional slow, steady, government protected and élite-contolled management may have suited the industrial age and continuous-process industries but it is the greatest threat to information age companies. | Nomination day in Malaysia on Saturday, and it's a one-on-one competition as the Barisan Alternatif nominates one candidate from it's ranks for each seat | Remember Macau? Macau returns to Chinese rule on Y2K day with little of the debate that accompanied Hong Kong's return. One of Macau's major industries - gambling - is run at several levels by mainland and HK SAR figures, both legit and crooked already, so the the élite has little to fear |
Violence reared its ugly head in KL yet again on the weekend.. but this time it was not on the streets, but in the newspapers as the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition splashed photos of violence during the pro-Anwar demos earlier this year in election advertisements in major dailies. Curious too, given BN's denouncement of the coverage of riots by foreign media earlier. BN blames foreign elements and disloyal Malaysians for street demonstrations that turned violent, and promises more of the same if the opposition gains ground. Later they blamed the opposition for inciting and organizing riots though there has been little evidence whether violence was provoked by the opposition, BN plants, or the "curious on-lookers" which Mahathir says are responsible for the size of the turnouts. So far, Mahathir's predictions of opposition-inspired violence during the election has proved groundless. The only violence so far is in the newspapers and on the idiot box. If we were Alice in Wonderland we would think that power politics in Asia is getting curioser and curioser. | ..And talking of foreign elements, Heather Mingst has advised us of a US government site which reports on Thai business opportunities for US business. Free counseling too, ...if you're a Yank.
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Bangkok: Thursday 18th November 1999 |
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Seems Filipino's are getting more testy about Erap.. popularity according to polls is in free fall.. and the stock market is taking notice... Well, Clarence did warn us.. | Great news for Malaysia as Moody's upgrades their ratings. Malaysia's economy is looking remarkably healthy, at least for the moment... | Authoritative info about Australian companies is available from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission site | Wonder why people are not buying the Malaysian Malay and English language newspapers? According to AC Nielsen, both Utusan and Berita Harian (Malay language newspapers) had lost 400,000 readers respectively. Of the English language newspapers, the New Straits Times recorded a loss of almost 200,000 readers, the Star 120,000 readers, and the Malay Mail 73,000 readers, since the government started to become editors by default. We guess it's because they are just too boring... The Chinese language newspapers, left alone by the info police are selling very well thankyou!... | Big job for a big man: Gus Dur's two major tasks at the beginning of his presidency is to speed up Indonesia's recovery and keep Indonesia together. Aceh is significant as it challenges Indonesian sovereignty in a more extreme way than Timor. Revenue from Aceh's oil reserves goes in large part to Jakarta and the population of Aceh is far greater than East Timor. Any loss of Aceh will set off demands from other provinces. It's a big job, but no better man than Gus Dur to be leading it. | Peace in Indonesia is a problem for the Malaysian elité during the election period. After two years of pointing to Indonesia as an example of the evil outcomes of "Reformasi", government spokesman are keeping mum... A resurgent Indonesia at this time is about as welcome as the Anwars dropping in to a Mahathirs' open house. | Sour taste department: Mahathir pleaded with Reformers to express their dissatisfaction through the ballot box rather than on the streets.. but now it seems around 7% of those entitled to express their satistaction or not who enrolled in the last few years are disenfranchised while the electoral commission updates their roles. Seeing the voting age is 21 and there is 5 years twixt elections, some Malaysians may be close to 30 before they get their first chance to participate formally in politics by casting a vote. With 7% of mainly young voters dis-enfranchised, we would not expect Mahathir to make too much of his mandate come his victory speech. | Confusion seems to reign over whether China's now almost assured entry into the World Trade Organization is good for the rest of us or not. Hong Kong businesses are most critically affected, but at the moment everybody is trying to put on a happy face. | Pakistan's new rulers are arresting the old; ill-begotten gains are the justification... ..And the world turns... |
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Bangkok: Tuesday 16th November 1999 |
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Singaporeans are slowly and steadily increasing their investment in Thailand according to the Nation. - a very smart and strategic move we say... | Japan's new economic stimulus package is all about consumer-led recovery. We know it's difficult, but state support for weak firms via spending programs, cheap finance, and employment subsidies, goes nowhere close to addressing, and indeed reinforces the base of the Japanese malaise, namely the over-close relationship between government and business, and the latter's dependence on it. | Latest quote from the bun fight in Malaysia, this time from Dr Mahathir .."When Anwar was in the government, he could afford to buy expensive French suits and Gucci shoes and there were no riots. But since the mastermind left the government, the riots have started again,".... "...Anwar and the National Justice Party (Keadilan) headed by his wife will create havoc to disrupt the polls when they find they cannot win..." The link between sartorial elegance and rioting was not further delineated. Surely it is not being suggested that the people are satisfied only while their leaders wear Western brand names? However, we THINK we get the message Dr M.! | And on the good doctor again, you can also read his monthly columns on World affairs for the Japanese Mainichi newspaper. The Asian Business Portal focuses at the moment on the Malaysian election. | Shell is downsizing in ASEAN, under the title of the "ASEAN-Plus program". It involves spinning off non-core busineseses, and reducing costs as well as reducing outlets, especially in Thailand. They must have read the latest Thailand Tale from Kriengsak... |
Once AsiaWeek's "most powerful man in Asia", signalling the rise of globalization by becoming the first non-Asia born or resident holder of the title, Michel Camdessus is back in the news in a swansong fashion, announcing his resignation on the weekend. Kinder souls have hailed his reign, the high point being "the guidance of Asia through their crisis". The Asia crisis brought home to all of us the key influece international agencies like the IMF now have in influencing government policy, and in turn the practise of Asian management. And while a positive legacy is the increased emphasis on "transparency" that the IMF aided and abetted, back home in Asia, IMF intervention has been characterised by a rojak of success and failure, with the latter winning out. Notably even the IMF now recognises that their approach to economic recovery failed to recognise the diversity of economic systems. According to Stratfor, "...more than a failure, the IMF has been, largely irrelevant. From its management of the Third World debt problem to its mishandling of the Asia crisis, the IMF did not and could not understand the real forces driving economic development. The problem is not so much the people as it is the focus. So deeply linked to existing economic forces and orthodoxies, the IMF is
incapable of recognizing emerging forces and new realities. It always manages to miss the point..." . See also Strafor's analysis of Shakeup at the IMF and the Global Skakeup yet to come. Seems that the IMF is also beset by faction fighting, corruption and scandals of their own. To quote Mahathir again from several months back in one of his smarter and more entertaining asides... "..The IMF are not transparent enough for us..."
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Bangkok: Friday 12th November 1999 |
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It's November 29th for the Malaysian election. Great timing by Mahathir - the date, (revealed to the PM in a "flash of inspiration" during the latter stages of the budget debate to avoid the holy month of Ramaddan being compromised by the lies of politicans) also dis-enfranchises 650,000 new voters (around 7% of Malaysia's 10 M voters) waiting to be registered for several months, and highly likely to vote for the opposition. The judge got sick in Anwar's trial, meaning no possibly embarassing court appearance by Mahathir in the lead up, and 19 days for serious campaigning after a parliamentary term that saw the Deputy Prime Minister sacked and jailed, an economy savaged and recovering, riots, capital controls, and the information police empowered as never before. The Malaysian élite has never been more ensconsed and up-beat, and will win by a mile... | Excellent Special report available from Asia Source, (reviewed yesterday) on Japanese Bank Mergers | "Casting Stones" Department: Thai pollies are possibly peeved that they are being upstaged by Malaysia as the region's most colorful.. and opposition leader and previous PM Chevalit, well known for his televised pledge to the Thai people not to float the Baht the night before he floated it and leading Thailand adeptly and skilfuly into the Asian crisis is seeking to make amends.. In yet another ubiquitius "no confidence motion" against the sitting government, the draft accuses Chuan and his mates of "...acting like a criminal association; facilitating the underworld syndication of drugs, smuggling, becoming a puppet of foreign capitalist groups; driving Thai business to bankruptcy; turning a neighbouring country into an enemy, and betraying the will of the king...". ..Makes the charges of Mahathir's opposition comparatively seem akin to that of an elephant on valium. Is it a case of what my shrink would call "negative transference?". Indeed, Thai government spokesperson Akapol Sorasuchart was moved to comment that Chevalit must have come up with the list "..while looking at himself in the mirror.." Akapol is right. Chevalit is a joke. The glass-houses of ASEAN can only stand a limited amount of abuse from those who try to convince us they are without sin while flinging yet another stone... | Is it any wonder that those of us who try to instil professional management principles to increase the effectiveness of our organizations and countries sometimes wonder whether it is really worth the effort? "Corruption eats more than 50% of Philippine government revenues" according to Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu on the idiot box last night. | Singapore's got the haze again! This time they are not sure whether the culprit is Malaysia or Indonesia when analysing the source of a "white pall over Orchard Road" on Thursday arvo. Hell, you couldn't even see the discount tags and peering at the merchandise was almost as difficult as at 3am in the smoke-filled Club 392 down the road a-piece ANY Friday night. Rumours that it was a side effect from the hot air emanating from Malaysian pollies following the election announcement had some currency around the nightspots last night according to Singapore based friends of Hari Raya. The PSI (Singaporean Pollutant Standards Index) stood at 63 yesterday. Nice of Singapore to provide that information. From around 3 months ago no one knows how polluted Kuala Lumpur is as the Malaysian media has been banned from reporting pollution levels in their own country.
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Bangkok: Thursday 11th November 1999 |
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Well blow me down, just when all the pundits and unversity educated boffins and economists are saying Mahathir wouldn't call an election until next year, he cancels his overseas trip at the last moment, visits the King, and dissolves parliament all in around 18 hours. In a victory for street over professional intelligence, our taxi driver Mohamad (no relation) looks like he was right when we reported his prediction of Malaysian elections this month last week in Hari Ini, in the face of everybody else saying something different. In the worse case he will be 4 days out, as the latest date to expect is December 4th. We think however, it will be earlier rather than later. Mahathir's greatest trump card, as we keep saying, is that the formal election period need only be 11 days, so Mahathir can call an election at a time which best suits the ruling élite and can capitalise on dis-organization in the opposition ranks. Don't think the wily master of old-style Asian political influence hasn't got other cards up his sleeve. (Not that we are suggesting that Mahathir as a Muslim plays the cards occassionally but rather that if his religion didn't preclude it, he would be a poker player par excellence.) Traditionally, the press drops a bombshell report against the opposition the day before the election, whether it be an opposition leader allegedly compromising his religion, or scaring other ethnic or religious groups witless. With bombshells already released from Bank Negara officers regarding corruption of Anwar and fellow travelers, the girl who accused a senior ruling party notable of raping her when she was 15 several years back, suddenly changing her testimony, and fashion queen Umni galavanting around the country giving her version of the moral depravity of Anwar, what could there possibly be left? We are sure there will be something ..and we are all waiting with the bated breath akin of a sub-editor at the "National Enquirer". | Mahathir, during a whistle-stop Western tour recently told investors repeatedly that any loss of power by Barisan Nasional or indeed UMNO, will be a disaster for foreign investors. | The Asia Society has relaunched their site as "Asia Source.Org" and it is a vertiable goldmine of resources on Asia. The US viewpoint of course predominates, and it is not only about business, but focuses more on culture, history and politics. It is a highly recommended resource. | Thai Finance minister Tarrin, recently reported as under fire in yesterday's Hari Ini, is getting major backing from Democrats, and foreign investors. He made a mistake with Krung Thai for sure, but everthing else we feel, he is getting as right as is pratically possible. | The Thai National Counter Corruption Commission plans to launch it's website early next year, making public the assets of political officers | A short Hari Ini today as we update all our Malaysian info on the forum. Stay tuned during the day for announcements of updated resources for Malaysian political and economic analysis for a two week period when it will be great to be in Malaysia. | The gloves are already off, being dispensed with several months back by both sides. Compared to the relatively sedate Western boxing (chewed-off-ears notwithstanding), expect the Malaysian election bun fight to have as much in common with that as Thai kick boxing and Filipino cock fighting. Expect lots of "kicks to the groin" (as Richie Benaud would say) and a fight (almost) to the death...
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Bangkok: Tuesday 9th November 1999 |
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Welcome to Thailand! It hasn't been a good coupla years to be an Asian Finance Minister.. just ask Anwar, and now Thai boss of the filthy lucre - Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda, who ordered his own investigation into the state-owned Krung Thai bank when a Price Waterhouse-Coopers audit showing that 84% of their assets were non-performing loans was leaked to the press. His own investigation of course, revealed nothing of the sort... Previous boss of the Krung Thai bank was Tarrin's brother Sirin and now in an Assumption University Poll it seems that most Thai's want Tarrin out. Street Intelligence says that Chuan wants Tarrin out as well... | Floods everywhere.. Vietnam, Cambodia and India are counting human and economic costs as floods demolish fragile agricultural sectors. | Excellent business intelligence about Vietnam is available at The Vietnam Business Journal | Advance Australia Where? Australians voted on Saturday to reject a proposal for a Republic with the president elected by parliament, leaving Australia and New Zealand alone in Asia as the only countries with a foreigner as head of state. How seriously can Asia take an Australia which has yet to throw off its constitutional ties with it's previous colonisers? In a country where less than 10% support the current English monarchy's role, insular politics conspired to produce a referendum question which even republicans found hard to endorse, and may even re-inforce to Asians their suspicions that Australia is just an Anglo-Saxon enclave out of touch with their real neighbours. The Australian political system failed Australians yesterday in a case where conservatism won over reality. ...Well, at least they can still win a Rugby game... The Rat has his say here. | Indonesia has seen the mountain top, and they know they cannot stop... ... "That is our dream, to uphold democracy and see other countries go through the democratic process as we did," said new Indonesian foreign minister Alwi Shihab in an interview with the Singapore "Straits Times". He also advocates a "pro-active foreign policy that also envisions a cohesive, strong Asia that can stand up to the West as an equal, not as an inferior.". He will find mass support for the latter during his wing through the region with boss Gus Dur, but the first will have a more varied reception. | Those who have been following Malaysian politics are so sick of allegations of death threats and lies being thrown around, that the only sensible voting strategy is to ignore everything the pollies say and just vote for either a new or an old order. Such is the nature of Malaysian politics that nobody knows who is telling porkies and who is not. In fact in a CNN interview between an UMNO Youth leader and the DAP leader, the former declined to refute the latter's accusations, preferring instead to debate who was telling the biggest porkies. Timing is all. The best lies are those that are publicised 2 or 3 days before polling day. Hopefully, the Malaysian people will not be distracted by the political theatre. | Well,... we told you so .. Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontiers says that press freedom is flouted in 13 Commonwealth countries. Asia-Pacific countries to get the dubious gong are Singapore and Malaysia. | Former FEER KL Bureau Cheif Murray Hiebert obviously followed our advice and desisted in talking about his time in the KL big house until he was safely back home. The FEER has his story this week, with the most interesting bit of goss being that most of the wardens are Anwar fans, and that Anwar has been a big hit with the felons.
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