TR EMERITUS

Reuters, 14 March 2010 Thousands of protesters gathered in Bangkok today and planned to give Thailand’s military-backed government an ultimatum: either call elections or face more pro-democracy demonstrations over the coming week. About 80,000 red-shirted supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a military coup in 2006, arrived yesterday, many traveling in pick-up trucks, motorcycles or vans from northern provinces, carrying red flags and blaring music about democracy and freedom. Thousands more were expected today, including hundreds who boarded boats in nearby Ayuddhutthya province. Investors are worried about violence, and about the government being distracted when it should be concentrating on nurturing the economy as it recovers from a brief recession. But Thailand is still benefiting from investment funds flowing into Southeast Asia and foreigners have snapped up US$500 million (RM1.7 billion) of Thai stocks so far this year, much of it this month. The stock market rose 1 percent on Friday. The protesters plan to maintain pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve  parliament and call an election Thaksin’s allies would be well placed to win, or face more protests over a 20 km radius of their main protest site on Ratchadamnoen Road in the heart of Bangkok. “It is expected to get up to over 100,000 people today,” Thawil Pliensri, secretary general of the National Security Council, told Reuters. Protest leaders say they already had drawn hundreds of thousands to Bangkok as of Saturday night. “The security forces are on highest alert. The situation remains normal and we expect it to remain so today,” he added. “But it may get more volatile after a few days as the protest leaders step up their measures and people are tired and frustrated. We have to make sure there is no damage.” “We are here to ask for justice and for rule of law to be applied to all,” one protest leader, Weng Torirajkan, told supporters who responded with loud cheers. “Since the government cannot do it because it’s too busy serving the elite, we ask that it step out and call fresh elections so we have a government that represents the whole country, a government that represents us.” About 40,000 soldiers and police have been mobilised. The protests add a new chapter to a seemingly intractable political conflict pitting the military, the urban elite and royalists, who wear the revered king’s traditional colour of yellow at protests, against the mainly rural Thaksin supporters. The protesters say the Oxford-educated Abhisit came to power illegitimately, heading a coalition cobbled together by the military after a pro-Thaksin party leading the previous coalition government was dissolved by the courts. The “red shirts” chafe at what they say is an “unelected elite” preventing allies of twice-elected Thaksin from returning to power through a vote. Adding to their anger, Thailand’s top court seized $1.4 billion of his assets last month, saying it was accrued through abuse of power. On Saturday, a Reuters photographer counted thousands of pickup trucks streaming into Bangkok along a main road from Thaksin’s strongholds in the north and northeast of the country. Police briefly stopped them and searched for weapons. Thousands had gathered on Ratchadamnoen Road, a central Bangkok thoroughfare leading to the bridge that will be the main site for today’s rally. Armed guards stood at many banks and state buildings after government warnings of potential sabotage, including bombings. In 2008, a rival group sought to topple a Thaksin-allied government by seizing Government House for three months and shutting Bangkok’s two main airports for eight days, damaging the tourist sector and dealing a blow to investor confidence. The UDD insist they will not use the same tactics. Roberto Herrera-Lim, an analyst at Eurasia Group, said the “red shirts” recognised violence would be counter-productive and were now intent on building up public support for what they present as a pro-democracy movement. “Whether the ‘red shirts’ will accomplish anything at all depends on the numbers that they can muster,” he said. Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 to escape a two-year sentence for graft. Woravat said he was in Dubai, now his main base, but would be flying to Europe soon to meet up with his daughters. Government House, which includes Abhisit’s office, has been cordoned off. The authorities have closed several other roads to prevent protesters from besieging government buildings. — Reuters  Read More →

By Novia Lim A jackass is a male donkey. From Wikipedia: In Arabic, حمار (ḥimar), meaning "donkey", is a derogatory term that refers to someone of very limited intelligence. In United States, the world had revealed Tiger Woods. In Singapore, we have our very own jackass (donkey) AKA Jack Neo. A cultural medallion winner, comedian, actor, director, and a local sensation in many other entertainment industry related accolades and achievements. It speaks for itself reflecting that Jack Neo is NOT a person of limited intelligence. Jack Neo is married to Madam Irene Kng for 27 years and has four lovely children, how can Jack Neo commit infidelity against monogamous marriage? David Buss, professor of psychology at the University of Texas reported that men crave sexual “variety.” Or could it be the primitive instinct that dates back to stone age where men are hunters and gatherers – only this time, they’re craving, hunting and gathering new women?  Madam Irene Kng, composed and supportive, walked in hand in hand with Jack Neo at the news conference on 11th March 2010. Madam Irene Kng expressed her graceful forgiveness and stood by Jack Neo. What if the scenario is now reversed? Will Jack Neo reciprocate the same level of support? I mean no disrespect to Madam Irene Kng and I sincerely admire Madam Irene Kng for her bravery, tolerance and love for her family. Should men or women get a free pass if their significant other cheats on them? In marital problems such as infidelity, reports have shown that women are more likely than men to forgive a cheating spouse, as they are more emotional and take into account their children and general survival. Men are just crushed and experience extreme anger over what happened to them and appears to be less willing to forgive. Are women providing too much leeway to cheating husbands? Madam Irene Kng had displayed generosity towards her family and magnificent devotion towards maintaining a healthy family nucleus. I am sure not all of us (including myself) will forgive the mistakes that Jack Neo had committed. But I strongly believe that we should give Madam Irene Kng and their four lovely children our support and blessings. The reasons for infidelity could be endless. Every individual and every family is different. We all have our own stories, struggles and happiness. May it be evolution, human nature or simple novelty, it is not rocket science technology and the decision on whether to cheat is still entirely in a person’s control. Are you in control?   About the Author: Novia Lim is a global data analyst by profession, honored with years of solid experience with multinational corporations. She is also a hobbyist model and food blogger striving to achieve lifestyle balance with proper prioritization between career, demands of life on one hand and pleasure, leisure on the other. Novia blogs at http://eatcookshoot.blogspot.com  Read More →

Written by Our Correspondent An angry female blogger Petunia Lee who is married with kids has lashed out at Foreign Minister George Yeo for his "undiplomatic" response to the Jack Neo sex scandal. Mr Yeo is a personal friend of Jack Neo and had known him for over ten years. The latter was embroiled in a series of sex scandals of late after his mistress 22 year old Wendy Chong leaked about his adulterous relationship with her to the press. Jack Neo gave Mr Yeo a call before the matter was publicized by the media to inform him what happened, prompting him to post an article on his blog calling on Singaporeans to "rally" around Jack Neo and his family:   While Singaporeans do not mind lending support to Jack's family who are ultimately the victims in the entire saga, they wonder why they should "rally" around Jack Neo who reportedly prey on young women working in his entertainment group in exchange for advancing their careers. Mr Yeo was further embarrassed by subsequent relevations of Jack's sexual exploits with 10 other women including a 16 year old girl and a 55 year old transsexual masseur. Petunia Lee wrote that though it is understandable that George was being kind to his friend, but he has been cruel to the sex victims of Jack: "George Yeo has been kind to his friend but in doing so... he has been cruel to the TWO (at present count) adolescents preyed upon by Jack Neo....But then, George Yeo has not spared a thought for the 2 young ladies!.....Is kind cruelty better than cruel kindness?" Mincing no words, she accused George Yeo of perpetuating in a "great injustice" in declaring open support for a "sexual predator": "There is great injustice in declaring open support for the Sexual Predator that Jack Neo has been, and probably still is (for a man does not easily change his sexual habits). In effect, Jack Neo used his considerable clout in entertainment circles to lure young ladies into relationships with no honour, nor future." Clearly disappointed by the response of George Yeo, Petunia ended her highly charged blog post by asking how a Foreign Minister can be so "undiplomatic" in this matter: "There should be a jail cell for people who promise to make you a Fann Wong in return for a night of penetration!! At the very least, someone should cut his penis off! Jack Neo's penis. Not George Yeo. George Yeo should lose his tongue instead. How can a Minister schooled in foreign diplomacy be quite so undiplomatic in this matter?" There were no immediate comments from George Yeo who has yet to retract his statement of support for Jack Neo or condemn him for his actions. Can Singaporeans take his silence as tacit support for the "predatory" exploits of his good friend Jack Neo whom he shared a blog with? PAP ministers and MPs are well known for the utter lack of empathy, sensitivity and common sense and for making the most outrageous faux pases in public after which they will try to wriggle their way out by claiming that they have been "misquoted" by the media as George's colleague Lim Biow Chuan did earlier. In George Yeo's case, he cannot use the same excuse as he has written his "pledge" of support for Jack Neo himself. This time round, he handed the situation by using the last tactic of the "Sun Tze Art of War". George Yeo has just flown off to Hong Kong and Shanghai for an official visit today and won't be back till days later when the storm will probably blow off and hopefully Singaporeans who notoriously famous for their short memories will forget his latest "undiplomatic" PR disaster coming right after the road traffic accident involving a Romanian diplomat to which he replied "what happened is very bad" after two long months. Read Petunia Lee's blog post here.   Jack Neo and wife Irene Kng’s press conference on 11 March 2010: 1. Video recording of press conference 2. Irene Kng fainted at press conference 3. Photo Gallery 4. Field Report: Jack Neo and wife broke down in tears 5. Live coverage of press conference   Related articles: 1. Jack Neo: I had ONE affair only 2. Transsexual masseur: Jack Neo got “special service” from me 3. PBM Jack Neo apologizes on shared blog with George Yeo 4. PAP MP Lim Biow Chuan claimed he was “misquoted” by media 5. George Yeo slammed by netizens for supporting Jack Neo 6. Jack Neo makes advances to 16 year old French girl 7.Jack Neo’s 10 other flings after Wendy Chong 8. Wendy Chong on how Jack Neo initiated sex with her in his car 9. George Yeo supports PBM Jack Neo 10. Foyce accuses PBM Jack Neo of sexual harrassment 11. Wendy Chong: I had sex with Jack Neo twice a week 12. Jack Neo’s wife forgives him for extra marital affair 13. Jack Neo begged Wendy Chong to let him off  Read More →