T-Systems in outsourcing coup

T-Systems in outsourcing coup
DEUTSCHE TELEKOM’S enterprise customer unit T-Systems has secured the global hosting and storage section of a multi-sourcing contract, worth about RM4.9bil, from multinational oil group, Royal Dutch Shell.T-Systems described the contract as a major outsourcing win.

Under the initial five-year agreement, T-Systems will take over the infrastructure of Shell’s five global datacentres — three in Holland, one in Houston, Texas, and one in Cyberjaya here.

These datacentres run more than 7,400 application servers supporting Shell operations in over 100 countries. A total of 900 IT specialists at the five centres will join T-System's staff.

T-Systems said it will manage the Shell account from the Hague, but will move its US headquarters to Houston to show commitment to Shell.Meanwhile, the Cyberjaya centre will become a T-Systems centre for service management and also its operational hub for the Asia-Pacific region.

T-Systems said Shell selected T-Systems’ Dynamic Services platform to host most of its global SAP services.

The Dynamic Services platform adapts ICT (information and communications technology) capacities like bandwidth and data storage to customers’ business processes, boosting efficiency and reducing costs.

“Winning this contract clearly demonstrates that T-Systems understands customer needs and requirements, and that we have the skills and the infrastructure to deliver the most demanding services,” said T-Systems Singapore and Malaysia chief executive Thomas Jakob.

“We are unequivocally committed to establishing ourselves in Malaysia and reaching out to the Asia-Pacific region with world-class ICT services to meet the global requirements of multinational customers,” he added. – The Star

Source:TheStar-http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2008/4/5/technology/20080405145617&sec=technology

Shani Ross Writes: Anwar Ibrahim - Malaysia’s Future Prime Minister

Shani Ross Writes: Anwar Ibrahim - Malaysia’s Future Prime Minister

Shani Ross is the Coordinator for the Executive Programs & Conferences at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), Interdisciplinary Centre Herzliya, Israel.

Malaysia's opposition parties made significant gains in the parliamentary elections held on Sunday, March 8. Their success demonstrated a growing desire for political change and the furthering of democracy in Malaysia.

The election result means that the ruling Barisan National (National Front (BN)), no longer has a two third parliamentary majority. This means that its power has been limited in some respects, for example it can not amend the constitution or make key appointments without support from the opposition.

Ultimately, the election results means a stronger system of checks and balances, a principle requirement for any true democracy.

The largest of the opposition parties, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People's Justice Party (PKR)) won 31 seats, a significant gain compared to the single seat it won in the 2004 elections. The PKR's success has been attributed largely to the revival of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's political career. As a proponent of moderate Islam, cultural and religious impartiality, and liberal democracy, Anwar's popularity is gaining strength, with some reports suggesting that should the opposition coalition win the next election, he may well be next in line as Malaysia's Prime Minister. – MORE

Anwar Ibrahim - Malaysia’s Future Prime Minister - jerusalem.post

dsai: ur the man – thanks

u have again illustrated the fact that when fed-up citizens demand sweeping change, they can accomplish it. u, of course, still have to turn promises into reality. but ur already made one thing very clear: if anyone can accomplish it, ur the man.

Liputan Newsweek: Back in the Light - anwaribrahimblog.com

Back In the Light - Purged, jailed and humiliated in the late 1990s, Anwar Ibrahim has staged a remarkable comeback at the helm of an opposition insurgency.

Anwar Ibrahim: ‘It Was A Terrible Time’ - Malaysia's famous ex-prisoner on his astounding political rebirth.

The Malaysian Race Card - The dust of the elections is still settling, and there are few signs the rhetoric over race is going to diminish.

Former M’sian premier Dr M scoffs at Anwar’s plan for political comeback

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed scoffed the idea of a political comeback by his renegade former deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ''He could win a few seats but making a comeback and taking over the government, that's a pipedream.”

Anwar has already announced he wants to run for office through a proxy in the forthcoming general election (widely speculated in March), and eventually a by-election in May. But as analysts have pointed out a pop politician can not take the top job without enough majority parliamentary support from his ‘barisan’ coalition.

And so far, Anwar’s party and its rag-tag opposition coalition is no match to the formidable machinery, media and money of the ruling 14-party ‘Barisan Nasional’ coalition.

The opposition coalition remains divided and has performed poorly in recent by-elections. Still, the opposition coalition is hoping to deny the ruling coalition a two third majority against a backdrop of widespread accusation of election irregularities.

Recent Developments - updated Feb 14, 2008 : Anwar, Malaysian Opposition, Aim to Erode Majority - bloomberg.com

M’sian premier Badawi: I'm working hard for nation's prosperity

GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday said he was aware of his responsibilities and had been working hard for the country’s continued growth and prosperity.

“You can say I am not good enough. You can say whatever but don’t say that I don’t work. I work very hard. I mean it and you know it,” he said to loud applause from guests at the Penang Chinese Town Hall here for a Chinese New Year open house.

In his speech, Abdullah said as a Muslim he had an obligation to fulfill his duty and would carry it out diligently. “It is the will of God that I have become the prime minister and it is my responsibility to work and serve the people.

“I have not benefited one sen from anyone for what I have done. Some people want to give me money but I don’t need it. The government takes good care of its prime minister.”

Abdullah stressed that in fulfilling his responsibilities, he had to be fair to all races and called on everyone to work together to create a prosperous country. “As Malaysians, we must always feel we are among friends even though we are from the minority group when a function is organized. If we can have mutual respect among us, then we will be all right,” he said.

source:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/9/nation/20278959&sec=nation
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Frontpage/20080209080408/Article

Former M’sian deputy premier Anwar to run for office

Former Malaysian deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim looks set to make his political comeback through a proxy in the forthcoming general election (hotly speculated in March), and eventually a by-election in May, according to reports here, and here...

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has dropped tantalising hints to voters that he may contest a by-election in Balik Pulau, on Penang island, in May.

He was addressing a ceramah last Saturday in Kampung Terang in Balik Pulau, the island’s only rural parliamentary constituency, one of three locations he visited in his home state during a weekend of campaigning.

Speaking from a dilapidated wooden house that stands on eroding concrete stilts, he said: “In 1987, while I was in the cabinet, I insisted that this whole area be supplied with electricity and piped water. It was supplied but there has been little further improvement to this place since then. If the PKR candidate wins here in the coming election (widely expected in March), I may contest here in a by-election in May.”

The crowd of some 500 cheered. They obviously knew that this could see a dramatic transformation of the constituency from rural rusticity to something better. After all, the ruling Barisan Nasional had shown its munificent strategy in the Ijok by-election, for example.

Earlier, Anwar had pointed out Yusmadi Yusoff (photo - see dinmerican -ed.) to the crowd, a gesture that could be interpreted as a sign of his eventual selection to contest the Balik Pulau seat. Yusmadi, 32, was born in Balik Pulau and now practises law in Kuala Lumpur. He joined PKR last July, and had accompanied Anwar to the ceramah.

Anwar is barred by law from contesting the elections up to April 15, following his conviction and six-year jail sentence for corrupt practice.

Reasons for an impending US economic recession

Trying to assess the situation and further growth prospects of the US economy, the first important fact to see is that the US economic recovery since November 2001 has been by far the weakest in the whole postwar period.

Just a few tidings composed by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington: First, inflation-adjusted hourly and weekly wages today are below where they were at the start of the recovery in November 2001; Second, median household income (inflation adjusted) has fallen five years in a row and was 4% lower in 2004 than in 1999; Third, total jobs since March 2001 (the start of the recession) are up 1.9% and private jobs 1.5% (at this stage of previous business cycles, jobs had grown 8.8%); Fourth, the unemployment rate is low only because several million people have given up looking for a job.

And here are some cursory remarks on our part: First, job growth has steeply fallen during the last three months, from 200,000 in February to 75,000 in May (2006 - report published on Wed 09 August, 2006 -ed.) ; Second, all the job growth has come from the artificial net birth/death model, implying that it is booming among small new firms not captured by the payroll survey, while slumping in existing firms; Third, private household indebtedness since 2000 has soared by 70%. This compares with an overall increase in real disposable personal income by 12%.

ASSESSMENT REPORTS: A weak report about the services sector has caused some experts to declare that the economy has already entered downturn. Recession is here – ECONOMISTS

Recession is the least of our worries. The days of the American empire might be at an end, Fortune's Andy Serwer argues. Play video Bye-bye superpower

Wal-Mart's distress signal: The world's largest retailer leads a parade of sales misses in January, indicating trouble in the U.S. economy.

To understand more on the Reasons (Published : Wed 09 Aug, 2006 -ed.) for an impending US economic recession i.e. US consumer spending, Current credit expansion, The US trade deficit, Debt trap, and House price crash, consult Dr Kurt Richebacher’s assessment report here.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT: Can Malaysia's Economy Withstand a U.S. Slowdown? This is that which warns us of something hateful in the future: ASIAN stocks plunged yesterday, pulled by Wall Street's sharp decline on Tuesday as fears of the US going into a recession intensified, analysts said.

PAS to contest 60 parliamentary seats

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (ES) – The Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) will be contesting in 60 parliamentary seats in the next general election, widely expected to feature one to one fights between the opposition and the ruling coalition.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang hinted that the party would need to be "practical" in its campaigning in the next general election, in view of the limited seats at the parliamentary level that it would contest.

The next general election is expected to be held next month. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi however has the prerogative to hold the election as late as next year. Malaysia has about 220 parliamentary seats.

"What's important (for the party is to highlight) the objective (of justice for all, drawn) from practices that is acceptable to all races," Abdul Hadi said in an impromptu press conference held at the party headquarter here today.

Also present was People Justice Party (KeADILan) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Several high ranking party officials from both parties were also present. MORE HERE

Expats go to court over 'dream homes'

An expatriate, who bought what he thought was his beach-front dream house, is taking his nightmare to court.

Roger Crowhurst, a 65-year-old journalist for a four-wheel-drive magazine, his wife from Sabah, Nyuk Ling@Semenanjit, and four other expatriate couples filed an application for judicial review against the Papar district council and the Local Government and Housing Ministry.

They are looking to have the respondents take responsibility for their homes in the Palm Beach Villas in Kinarut, which have been left in a dilapidated state. "We have been trying to get our developer to look into various aspects of our living conditions such as general maintenance, safety and common facilities servicing these villas, but they have declared themselves free of responsibility," said Crowhurst.

He said basic facilities such as lighting, road, drainage, security, garbage disposal, sea defence, and common facilities of the residential area had not been taken care of. The judicial review seeks to get the two respondents to take up the duties in respect to all the safety and administrative functions of the housing residence.

It also seeks to get the ministry to replace the management of the Papar district council and appoint a party to repair or demolish the boardwalk servicing the housing residence which had become dilapidated and hazardous. "When we bought the place, we were promised a paradise, but now it is not even decent living. "The boardwalk is damaged from coastal erosion, the beams are falling apart, the lights are out, no one is sweeping the debris on the road or collecting the rubbish, and no one is taking responsibility for all this.

"Everyone we approach says they are not responsible for our problems. We feel abandoned and after spending our hard-earned cash on these properties, we are getting a very raw deal," said Crowhurst. Rodney Parsons, a 60-year-old helicopter engineer who in here under the Malaysia My Second Home programme said that he was disappointed with the shoddy treatment from the authorities.

"We have asked several people to help with the repairs for six months, but nothing is being done," he said.

Source: http://www.emedia.com.my/detailnews.php?nid=918&cid=N01

Bab Modal Insan Ulul Albab: Kekalkan burung pada sarangnya

Terasa manisnya buah fikiran ini yang menyinggung cara berfikir masyarakat kita dalam menghadapi sesuatu musibah. Ianya dibuahkan oleh penulis dalam menghuraikan tajuk Jadilah Ulul Albab, bukan pemilik fikiran lembab. Kami di blog ini mengutip buah yang dilemparkan beliau dalam hubungannya dengan bab Modal Insan dan hubungan babnya dengan hadith tentang burung, kemudian di berikan tajuk sendiri, moga ia berbuah lagi. – ed.

Apabila Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menyebut dalam salah satu ucapannya pada tahun 2006 tentang generasi Ulul Albab, tidak ramai yang memberikan sambutan sewajarnya. Kecuali di Terengganu kedengaran slogan Ulul Albab itu berkumandang dan diberi perhatian yang baik. Saya tidak pasti kenapa. Barangkali…

Nilai-nilai yang negatif cepat sahaja berkembang dalam masyarakat, padahal kebanyakan kita mempunyai latar pendidikan yang bukan sembarangan. Barangkali pengajian kita lebih banyak menegaskan soal penghafalan fakta, dan kurang pula membentuk kemampuan menilai fakta secara matang dan berprinsip. Lalu ramai yang hanyut dalam ‘cakap orang’. Al-Quran dalam mensifatkan golongan Ulul Albab menyatakan: (maksudnya) Katakanlah (Wahai Muhammad): Tidak sama yang buruk dengan yang baik, walaupun jumlah banyaknya yang buruk itu telah mengagumkan engkau. Oleh itu bertakwalah kepada Allah wahai Ulul Albab supaya kamu berjaya (surah al-Maidah: 100).

Di atas kelemahan minda analisis sesetengah masyarakat Muslim, maka tidak hairan jika dalam keadaan kita ingin membentuk pemikiran matang dan bertamadun tiba-tiba media kita menyiarkan cerita para bomoh meramalkan tentang Adik Sharlinie yang hilang. Kita amat bersimpati dengan kehilangan Adik Sharlinie dan mendoakan agar Allah mengembalikannya dengan selamat. Namun penggunaan bomoh yang seperti itu amat mendukacitakan.

Apabila saya melihat mereka menggunakan burung yang dilepaskan ke udara dalam mencari adik berkenaan, mengingatkan saya tentang amalan masyarakat jahiliah dahulu yang menggunakan burung untuk meramalkan nasib baik dan buruk mereka. Apabila Nabi s.a.w. diutuskan, baginda melarang perbuatan jahiliah ini dengan berkata: Kekalkan burung pada sarangnya (riwayat Abu Daud dan al-Hakim dalam al- Mustadrak, dinilai sahih oleh al-Zahabi).

Kata al-Imam al-Syafii (meninggal 204H): “Dahulu golongan jahiliah apabila ingin bermusafir akan mengambil burung dan melepaskannya ke udara. Sekiranya ia terbang ke kanan maka mereka pun keluar atas anggapan tuah tersebut. Jika ia terbang ke kiri atau ke belakang, maka mereka akan menganggap sial lalu berpatah balik. Maka apabila Nabi s.a.w. diutuskan, baginda menyeru orang ramai: Kekalkan burung pada sarangnya. (Abu Nuim al-Asfahani, Hilyah al-Auliya, 9/95, Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al- ‘Arabi).

Ertinya Nabi s.a.w. berkempen membuang pemikiran karut seperti itu dari masyarakat jahiliah. Jahiliah bermaksud bodoh iaitu dari perkataan jahil. Setelah seribu empat ratus tahun berlalu, tiba-tiba kebodohan itu muncul semula dengan liputan yang meluas di dada-dada media dalam sebuah masyarakat yang ingin membina tamadun. Kita kadangkala bukan sahaja mengutip perangai jahiliah, tetapi khurafatnya sekali.

Saya selalu berkata; drama kebanyakan bomoh hampir sama. Heronya ialah bomoh itu sendiri, penjahatnya adalah hantu dan sesiapa yang berkait dengannya. Sementara mangsanya adalah pengadu yang akan membayar ‘pengkerasnya’. Maka apa penyakit pun, jika kita berjumpa bomoh, kebanyakannya akan menuduh hantu itu dan ini. Jika anda menghidap ketumbuhan dalam perut yang disahkan oleh doktor pakar, anda bertemu bomoh, dia akan beritahu anda hantu sedang menggigitnya. Sehingga saya rasa mungkin hantu-hantu juga banyak yang tertekan dan kecewa kerana mereka asyik difitnah oleh bomoh sekalipun dalam perkara-perkara yang mereka tidak lakukan.

Untuk mendapat perspektif sepenuhnya tentang tajuk asal, sila baca di minda mufti atau pena mufti

Najib denies knowing anything about Dr M’s agreement

Reiterating his support and loyalty to the prime minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Najib Razak said today he did not know anything about an alleged agreement that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stay as premier only for one-term before stepping down in favour of his deputy.

"No, I don't know. I really don't know about that,” said the deputy prime minister after opening a seminar for Felda mosque officials at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. “However, I am committed to support (the prime minister) and remain loyal to the prime minister. I don't know. You (reporters) have to ask the parties concerned."

Najib was responding to reporters’ questions on whether he knew of the "gentleman's agreement" between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah. The agreement, according to the former prime minister yesterday, was made with Abdullah in 2003. However, Dr Mahathir conceded that he had no way of proving the existence of such an agreement.

The understanding, Dr Mahathir said, was for Abdullah to serve as a prime minister for one term before passing the baton to Najib. Dr Mahathir was quoted by AFP as saying, "That was my thinking since (Abdullah) was older than Najib, he should be PM for one term and then Najib should be able to take over."

Najib, also the Barisan Nasional deputy chairman, stressed he was committed to support and remain loyal to the prime minister. At the same time, he said his focus was on the coming general election and to ensure the BN’s victory.

Source: http://www.emedia.com.my/detailnews.php?nid=908&cid=N01

Related news analysis: Perjanjian lisan tidak valid!

LATEST DEVELOPMENT: Wed Feb 06, 08 5:16:44 pm MYT: PRU ke 12: Peluang tipis Najib untuk gantikan Abdullah sebagai PM. Apakah Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak berfikir, kesetiaan yang ditunjukkan beliau kepada Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi akan membantunya menjadi Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang ke-6? Mesej sebenar yang hendak disampaikan bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad adalah, jika Abdullah diberi mandat melanjutkan khidmatnya sepenggal lagi, Najib mungkin tidak berpeluang menjadi PM dan Presiden Umno.