Football 39 Years “There are Back”

Blackpool 9 years ago was on the brink to drop out of the Football League. Now they are back in the Land of ‘Milk and Honey” the Premier League. Cardiff City was expected to join West Bromwich and Newcastle into the Promised Land but at Wembley it did not happen. Ian Hollaway the Blackpool Manager outwitted Dave Jones Cardiff Manager with his teams enthusiasm and never say die attitude even though they were twice behind.

Cardiff City has been in the the news as a consortium from Malaysia has bought into the shares of the club and expected them to be in the Premiership. Extracted statement,” Vincent Tan and his group’s recent purchase of a controlling stake in Cardiff City (by the way, Cardiff City is in the playoff for the Premier League) … and all of a sudden,The potential upside to a Cardiff City promotion is tremendous. It’s not going to be taps that we are going to open, it’s going to be floodgates .”

However it turned out to be a momentous day for Blackpool and we saw a scintillating game and a dramatic game with 5 goals in the first half. Blakcpool won 3-2 and many congratulations to them.

The consortium will need to bear with Championship Football for another season or more as Cardiff City will do well to even come as close as to even sniff Wembley turf. It gets even harder as there are always an “Indian Sign” hanging over the Wembley Play-off Losers.

It isn’t always rosy for any company to take over a football club riddled with debts eventhough the facilities are all  first class.The structure might be in place but Cardiff will need more than a miracle worker or consortium to make her dream of Premiership Football alive. Back door through Football bookies or betting syndicates could just be an answer.Hmmm.

But British Football will not easily fall prey to what happened to Malaysian Football at its pinnaclein the 90’s. Whoever thinks that football is short term fast gains better just use their money some where else where it could generate faster gains.

The recent headline news of “Sports Betting License Approval” by the Malaysian Government was also to assist the consortium to advertise the company responsible as millions usually tune in every weekend to follow the Premeirship. This indeed is a Dampener and ‘Bad News” as far as Advertising Action Plans goes. However to the opposition voices in the legalised betting saga this Blackpool Win is a Blessing in disguise.

Blackpool for 39 years have lived their dream and today they have not only joined the Big Boys but the Reality is that they are Back to where they should be. The whole town and the community will welcome the Chelseas,MUs,Arsenals and Liverpools to Bloomfield Road (home ground) and they will  enjoy every minute of it in the 2010-2011 season.

 Cardiff City and the new partners so near and yet so far.They had expected a 90 Million Pounds Windfall by going to the Premiership but Blackpool Won on the Day……

MCA Donald”7 Wins And Home Free”

Innovative! Creative! Eye Catching and Certainly a  Plus point for Donald Lim to back a Winner. This is what Paul Scholes of Man.united has to say,”The bottom line is that if we win all our matches we’ll win the league.” Manchester United can win all their remaining seven games to retain their Barclays Premier League crown.

Chelsea,Liverpool and Arsenal MCA voting delegates will need to think twice as Donald Lim is  a big fan of the Manchester United football club. No wonder they always say even now,” FOOTBALL EVERYWAY IS CLOSELY LINK TO POLITICS” Do we need to elaborate further.??

Of course politics is serious business but one must know how to carry the message across to win votes. Donald Lims campaign is no different and we hope he does pull it off at this MCA elections on 28th March 2010.  

Donald Lim also said,”I hope leaders from Selangor will be united. But will the Selangor MCA leaders be united just like Manchester Uniteds team players who will need no extra push or incentives as they look forward to an unprecendented 4th title in a row and also overtaking arch rivals Liverpools 18th Title.

Lim is focusing his attention on Selangor because he said the state was very important to Barisan Nasional. “MCA suffered a huge setback by losing many of our state and parliamentary seats in the general election.”

All the bests Donald Lim from all of us at audie61.

PKR – The Journey so Far

When the final whistle was blown in the clash of the weekend it favoured Liverpool the Home side winning 2-0. Most of the staff at audie61 are Manchester Unitd fans and one can tell from their faces how devastated they were. Anyway this writeup from Malaysiakini has ruffled more than a few feathers. We copied it in full for those who are not subsribers of Malaysiakini so that  everyone will have their own reaction and make up their own assessment. Im sure the party boys /girls of  PKR would rather be Liverpool fans than MU after the next GE 13th.Which side would you rather support …This is the reality………………………………………………PKR’s losing game of musical chairs

Stanley Koh
Oct 26, 09
11:28am

Despite winning the largest share of opposition seats in the last ‘political tsunami’, Parti Keadilan Rakyat now lacks boldness and decisiveness.

Rather, the sordid internal state of affairs within PKR and frequent open squabbling between Pakatan Rakyat coalition partners masks a growing anxiety among its own activists. 

There are fears that Anwar (left) does not have it in him to lead Pakatan Rakyat to another overwhelming electoral victory at the next national polls.

It is not just Anwar’s plodding pace that worries, but his ability to position capable and effective leadership at the state level.

Party insiders felt that for that to take place, appointments should be made only after sufficient feedback from the ground, an in-depth study of the local political scene and a well-thought strategic plan before the appointments are made.

Slow to progress

In recent months, murmurs of discontent rumbled about the lack of momentum and PKR’s supremo Anwar Ibrahim’s lethargic approach to transforming the party into a force strong enough to win the next general election.

The sudden gust of in-fighting and internal rivalry arising from state chairmanship appointments over the year was enough to make many wonder if the party is weakening in support.

On Sunday, Anwar chaired his 62-member Supreme Council and the agenda included a reshuffling of its party’s state chairmanship line-up.

Ardent supporters believe Anwar has to silence the rumblings from among his ranks and file over strategy and tactics related to such appointments.

There is now a perception within his ranks and file that Anwar is suffering from a surfeit of new ideas, lacking focus and without an impetus for quick decision-making.

More seriously, there is also a belief that the gulf between his party and NGOs is widening due to eroding confidence towards the Pakatan coalition of which PKR is a major player.

Even DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang (right) has publicly acknowledged eroding confidence.

Many are beginning to doubt whether Anwar is able to transform his party into an unstoppable fighting machine under such circumstances? Time is running out.

PKR leadership can only undertake a major shift in direction, enhancing its organisational strength provided the adviser spends more quality time running the party and spends less time travelling overseas.

The liability incurred by a lackadaisical leadership is already telling.

This week, newly appointed Azmin Ali’s departed in a huff following a memorandum signed by 18 division chiefs calling for his removal. There was much media speculation that the appointments of state chiefs was akin to playing “musical chairs”.

Although the PKR leadership had clarified that Azmin’s tenure expired in October, the strained relationship arising from an appointment seems to suggest that there was little deliberate thinking on strategies and long term vision over such appointments.

It is a lesson learnt. The formation of a new National Integration Council comprising top ranking party leaders from the state and the peninsular is seen as a compromise and remedial action on the erred political judgement.

Yet, it also raises the pertinent question whether Anwar understands the strategic importance of having suitable and longer serving state chairmen to strengthen the party network and machinery.

In doing so, critics also contend that Anwar needs to behave more like a hare than a tortoise and unsurprisingly, some within his party view Anwar as “fiddling while Rome burns.”

Confidence shaken

To some of his core supporters, Anwar does not seem to be reacting positively enough to the growing recognition and demand for reform, particularly within PKR.

Confidence in PKR and Pakatan’s ability to transform our national political force into a two-party system in the country is wearing thin by the day.

Understandably, voices of concern are growing louder within the party that PKR is steadily lacking the firepower, plodding along instead of racing towards the next general election.

Will this major reshuffling of state chiefs be another play of musical chairs? Or will the appointments be well received from the ground and not just another excuse for political arrangements or simply expediency for political patronage?

Whether the recently announced major reshuffle of state chiefs will pump more renewable energy and effectiveness remains to be seen.

Azmin Ali, as expected, was given the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur state portfolio previously held by Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who will likely retain his Selangor state chairmanship.

Libaran assemblyman Yhamrin Zaini was appointed the new Sabah state chief, replacing Azmin (left).

Mustaffa Kamil Ayub now heads Perak state following a short stint as Sarawak state chief.

The frequent changing of the guard in the state is a bad practice. Many could hardly warm their seats, draw up any organisational charts or consolidate local support before they are whisked away to another state.

Others argued that the appointment of state chiefs is a broader issue which must be backed by collective local support within the state, clearly aware of local sensitivities before the party enters an aggressive new phase of reforms.

But in politics, you cannot fake it. The appointment of state chiefs is an illustrated case in point; Anwar cannot afford to continue plodding slowly along. Many viewed Anwar as being unable to carve a clear set of directions or give a convincing account that PKR and Pakatan as a coalition can get its act together.

Will the new appointments be handled wisely or a protectionist backlash from states further hurt PKR’s image further?

As the adviser to the party, Anwar should know that a wisely thought-out appointment exercise can go hand in hand with the party’s agenda to consolidate a stronger support base while an idle endorsement will bring more political turmoil spawning more instability within the party.

As a critic remarked, “There is no before and after, PKR and Pakatan coalition share the same destiny, only one more chance at the next general election but unlikely after that.”

“Politics..All is Forgotten Today..”

(The rants and fury of Rafael and Ferguson)

Its Sunday and the kickoff between Liverpool and Manchester United  is only hours away. It will be at Anfield the home of Liverpool where the two most supported teams in the world will be locking horns and the worlds football fraternity and neutrals too will surely focus on this match.

Its an ADVERTISEMENT FIELD AND PAY DAY and with 36 titles between them who could ask for more? The football mega stars of Torres,Gerards,Giggs,Rooney will give centrestage to Michael Owen who was once a Liverpool favourite son but now wears the colours of rivals Manchester United. Will the fans give him a well deserved standing ovation or will they turn on their former favourite son ( Betrayal Huh..!!).

Also this game looks beyond the two Managers in Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benetiz .(even his late father Paco  said,”was a stubborn child. “It wasn’t humanly possible to convince him” What did they say about Alex Ferguson..we leave that to another day..Hmmm.. smells of a tinge of politics here.

Similarly it reminds of former favourite son of  UMNO  Anwar Ibrahim. Wonder whether Manchseter Uniteds ardent fan PM Najib will have a wager with his former colleague in UMNO Anwar on the result of this match? Will we ever know? Nowadays its just a phone call away and a Teh tarik and Nasi lemak (Malaysian favourite food and drink)  will still get your Adrenalin pumping..

Tonight this game takes centrestage eventhough there are other games on offer with Manchester City taking on Fulham,Bolton against Everton and the London derby of West Ham taking on free flowing Arsenal at Upton Park.

‘Cawat” Issue..Stay Clear Wanita’s??

Updated 28th July :- Sms sent to Secretary General of PRS– Wilfred Nissom.Thank God and Glad there is no burning of PAS Flags.We are better than that.

Updated 28th July 9.30am- Headlines “Gathering to burn PAS flags put off,says PRS man. The full story can be seen in Todays Borneo Post Article page 12. Was this our timely intervention with our article and thus someone politically connected with the Prime Minister’s department raised the ALARM BELLS. Thank God or else all Hell would have broken loose. 

Last Friday before I posted the article on ” Wanita PKR Sarawak- A New Dawn” I asked PRS Batu Lintang Wanita Chief and Treasurer are they ready if chosen at an instant to stand for the coming elections. Of course, they said we are in politics not only to serve and fight for the party but also groomed to take over. In my article I mentioned ,” PRS has yet to field any wanita candidate but it is speculated by PRS members that the current Wanita chief Doris Brodie is being groomed to be a candidate. How ironic it is today she seems to grab the headlines and suddenly appears? Something is brewing and are they any connections to the New Dawn?

This is what she said in the Sunday Borneo Posts,’

Expressing anger over Hadi’s remarks about Batang Ai voters recently, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) women chief Doris Sophia Brodie said yesterday the remarks reflected the type of leaders PAS and PR have.

“Obviously, PAS and Pakatan are not ethnic-sensitive, thus they can forget about making their existence felt in Sarawak especially in Dayak dominant areas. On top of that, it is such remarks that stir racial tension,” she said.

“I think what Hadi said should hit the nail squarely for Dayak opposition leaders. Clearly, Pakatan and PAS do not have them or the Dayak at heart, to them the Dayaks are just to make the numbers and their laughing stock.

In this respect, she said the PRS women of Batang Ai, Simanggang and Bukit Begunan divisions would come out in full force to support PRS Batang Ai youth in its plan to burn PAS flags in Engkilili town todayk.

We are at bests trying to STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM THIS ISSUE AS POSSIBLE. However,we know that a fire would not have started  if the sparks are not lighted.Sarawak Wanita Chiefs from PKR/DAP/PAS/SNAP should not only stay silent on this issue as the Wanita Chief from PRS  has already lashed out. Recently joined PKR former MCA leader Chua Jui Meng would be telling you all,” A Politician is not a Politician if she/he keeps quiet.”

We received a number of smses but this from a senior a dayak leader and a former high ranking civil officer which will be open to your interpretations ,”Mrng bro.what Hadi meant was,dyks hv cawat political mentality.f u say dyks r well clothed 2 refer 2 hadi’s statement,once again hadi n d rest will laugh at n deride even phd educated dyk pol leaders ENDA NEMU RETI JAKO SINDIR” 

Burning FLAGS please,please,please I don’t buy that. It’s like Hooliganism in football where rival Fans taunt each other by burning flags on the terraces. Who has come out with this idea.? This is POLITICS AND NOT FOOTBALL.The person who has even initiated this idea let alone carry it out should be TAKEN AWAY and PUT IN JAIL AS THIS IS NOTORIOUSLY EVIL THOUGHT.

audie61 seriously take this as an attempt to instigate a TRULY EXPLOSIVE situation. It’s uncalled for even by PRS Batang Ai Youth. PM ‘s department and the authorities concerned should seriously look into this very  MINDLESS AND THOUGHTLESS  POLITICAL ACT. 

IN Malaysia we have enough problems with death and we do not need our political strategists from any political party be it BN/PAKATAN to even think of this. This will eventually lead to  even worse scenario. It only takes someone to singlehandedly take it a step higher,”TORCH PAS HEADQUARTERS” Then what will happen?

PM Najib we do not need to be reminded of the Brixton,Guildford,Manchester nor Liverpool riots where cities just burn through the night for seven to ten nights in the 80’s. (150 buildings damaged,30 burned down)

We say as always,”Politics is politics, but do not take it overboard and it will turn ugly and the whole country suffers. The country is already suffering economically and we do not need another FLAG BURNING THOUGHT to aggravate the precarious and fluid political situation.

“Is this REALLY FOR REAL..MU..??

This breaking news in the world of soccer would have everyone asking,”Is this really for real..?? Michael Owen a Liverpool goal scoring machine joining arch rivals Manchester United. A phone call to a Liverpool fan and he said,” He has seen his glory days while a Manchester United fan said,” Alex Ferguson always brings out the bests in a player.”

This is the extract from soccernet,”Michael Owen looks set for a surprise move to Manchester United, after having a medical on his knee on Thursday. The striker will then have a full medical on Friday ahead of signing a pay-as-you-play deal with the Premier League champions.

So the smses keeps coming in to audie61,”Whats the latest on Entulu taking on James Masing.” Its all quiet and calm before the storm and if Michael Owen joins MU who will say,” I told you so...(MU) Manek Urai”  It is also similar to saying Anwar is ready to join back UMNO….”

We say as always,”There are always surprises round the corner and anything is possible especially in Malaysia….hik hik hik.. 

Blessings,”Want Me,Why Not..??”

If there is a genuine push by the grassroots I will not decline to go for the posts as No.1 in Parti Rakyat Sarawak(PRS). Could Joseph Entulu be tempted to spill the beans ” if he ” is cornered and interviewed by journalists and reporters of the main stream media? No one should be surprised though as Entulu is very much a media friendly Deputy minister and he does give statements which in itself is ” NEWS ”

His dayak  statement was very controversial and he had to take out a full page supplement to cover what was overplayed by the media seeking fraternity. According to an aide JE was very upset as this was n0t what was intended and he is now very mindful of the press and would not like to be misquoted.  

Will he be trapped into making another ‘MISQUOTED STATEMENT” as the rumours are already swirling of him pushing James Masing PRS President all the way for the No.1 CHAIR. It is interesting to note also a BN component party MIC in their September congress will make amendments to their constitution limiting the terms of the President to 3 terms and other positions to 2 terms. Will James turn round to use this in their upcoming TDC to beg for another term before he hands over the baton.? James Masing is already 60 years old and he will try to buy some more time to cement his footing as the undisputed No.1 in PRS.

The ball is already on Entulu’s foot and its up to him how and what he wants to do with it..? A proverb commonly used in politics goes like this,” He who waits on others misses his opportunities.” Its a game where only the strong survives and with the financial backing accorded and blessings in place Entulu will be looking at a “WASTED GOLDEN CHANCE”

A political analysts said,”Sarawak’s political climate is somewhat calmer now and we cannot SEE WHO THE CROCODILES ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE UP TO. SOMEONE IS DEFINITEDLY STIRRING THE SAND IN PRS” The Tree shaking theory is irrelevant in PRS unlike PBB where once the tree shaking is implemented calm and order will be restored.

In PRS it goes further than that as this particular TREE needs to be uprooted. ( Remember Tun Rahman and Leo Moggie’s divide and rule where it saw birth of PBDS and decimated the once powerful SNAP under James Wong) . Could Entulu be just the perfect politician at this time for the bigger agenda of the POWERFUL CASH RICH  HIDDEN HANDS/PUPPET MASTERS.  

 It is an open secret now that the BLESSINGS are in place no matter how James wants to avoid it. James should know how the CM was on his side when he losts to Tajem/Sng. History does repeat itself  does he need to be reminded.?”

We say as always,”It’s all about timing in Politics and Entulu will need to make up his own decision. We will not be able to push him over the cliff could we..?? 

“3 Reasons for the Arsenal News Coverage”

Seems that MU/Liverpool will send most pulses missing a beat. Arsenal what is that team..? Under Arsene wenger they produce ‘ total ” football but  ran out of ideas to challenge the bests at the end of last season. It was made up of very young and upcoming footballers from different backgrounds /colour and race.

What we covered yesterday has some similarities but the young guns in this political landscape are tutored by the bests and who have vasts experience in this business for well over 50 years. Young and upcoming PRS Vice President who is considered one of the names in the ‘golden triangle” was quoted in the main stream media. He has indeed ruffled a few feathers in the PRS hierarchy and there is no more denial now in our earlier posts of “trouble brewing in PRS” where we asked a speculative and incisive question,”IS IT REAL..??”

Read more here “Not time to Change PRS leadership“. So what are the 3 reasons for Snowdon of all people to put up a STOP SIGN for those who sees a minute crack in the wall and ready to mobilize the forces for a showdown between James and Entulu. A close confidante of one of the ‘golden boys” simply put it as such. It’s Arsene Wenger’s ways and not Rafael Benitez: or Alex Ferguson’s.

•  Seen as “good boy”in PRS and not taking sides
• Throwing stones with left hand at the glass house but denying of any involvement
• Telling Entulu the time is now as ‘Blessing” is assured.

Snowdon hotly tipped to be an Assistant Minister though a greenhorn in politics he has build up a reputation to be “ruthless” and not taking any prisoners. A political quality needed for survival in the most extreme of situations. The stage is set and its up to those involved to be ready. It has simmered for far too long between the families involved and the timing cannot be more perfect.

We say as always,”It’s a game and it has to end with winners and losers”

Are you watching,”Liverpool..??”

The usual taunting of Manchester United Fans on Liverpool as they lifted the Premier League is unbearable. Now one can also hear ousted PM Thaksin sending a ‘plea” to his supporters “Don’t leave me dying in the desert.” What exactly do you think that Larry Sng(son in law of tycoon Ting Pek Khiing and son of former MP Sng Chee Hua) is sending out now. HE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING  before he goes down the same path as Richard Wong( son of former SNAP president). Is Larry echoing his thoughts through Snowdon once a strong ally before Snowdon abandonship and join James on the advise of PBB hierarchy.

Everyone wants to be associated with WINNERS and Larry eventhough he is not an MU fan he will under pretences to say so just to please the top boy ‘Najib” who is an ardent fan. This political landscape is being PIECED TOGETHER  to accomodate the undivided link for the super powers in the State and Federal levels.

Is Snowdon looking far beyond the terraces? One political watcher has even told me just after Sunday service that the three young boys in Sulaiman,Larry and Snowdon are finetuned to take over the state adminsitration.In the Federal level deputy ministers Fadhillah and Entulu will be elevated. Just put it this way,”What difference is there in MU eventhough Ronaldo has left for Real Madrid.? MU has the team spirit which is missing in Liverpool. So Sulaiman to helm the ship with Larry and Snowdon its a “GOLDEN TRIANGLE” similar to Taib,George and Jabu. But be mindful this three YBs have all go  the “S’s” with them. Its a clear sign don’t you think..?

Its unusual for Snowdon to generate an interests so early as the Party elctions are not due for another year. The Hidden Hands are already mixing the CONCOCTIONS to be served and Snowdon put it timely last night at his constituency at Balai Ringgin.

This is the extracted version from the internet blog,”Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice president, Snowdan Lawan told Sarawak Update that the party president and deputy president should not be contested comes the Triennial Delegate Conference, end of the year or next year.

“Masing and Entulu are very capable leaders who can lead PRS to greater height, and earned Barisan Nasional (BN) respect at State and Federal level,” he said.

However, when speaking at the Ngiling Bidai function shortly after that Snowdan stressed that PRS is a democratic party,  healthy competition and change of leadership is good for the party future.

I’m sure Donald Lawan has not forgotten that he needs to thank Sng Chee Hua for his efforts in putting and assisting his son to be a PRS YB. On July 2nd 2005 in Bintulu, Sng was charging on and “shouting at” at John Sikie in the SC and it signalled the start of the first PRS crisis. The bottom line was ,the words ” LIKE FATHER LIKE SON ” Of course they are all allies in the PBDS fight but since then all their political agendas are being put to great usage by the super powers. The rests is history so they say but it does come back to haunt some.

The bigger picture and a more viable political landscape is needed to ensure that Sarawak remains a BN bastion.  PKR and Pakatan are genuine threats but it will be nullified. Now,Najib and Muhyddin are turning to their old friends/allies Sng ,Bustari and Tycoon Ting. Donald is being dragged into this GOLDEN POND to ensure that this dynasty would lasts another 10 years or more depending on how the game unfolds. Donald would not want to be at the terraces shouting but he would very much like to RUB SHOULDERS with those in the EXECUTIVE BOXES in MU. Liverpol can wait for another decade as far as Donald is concern.

 

PBB Ibans are very much under the wraps and watchful eyes of the PBB Political Assasins. SPDP and SUPP will follow as long as the carrots keeps coming but PRS has been proven and is still today a really problematic grandson of SNAP. A former journalists said to audie61,”Politics always comes one big round. How very true..!!” One must not also discount that PRS/SPDP merger will happen overnight.” Sources close to the present golden triangle are also toying with the idea of BN3 to face the ever growing threat of PKR in Sarawak.

My niece a Liverpool fan was wearing the Tshirt  ‘ Knowledge is King ”  and I told her MU has learnt ,rectified and put in a TEAM capable to withstand the challengers  for a number of years to come.Sarawak when you can vote in 4 years time will still be BN unless the new voters decides otherwise. I told her to read SKY’s “ Taming the Political beast” as she was ready to follow my grandad’s footsteps and venture into the WORLD OF POLITICS.

Will she be able to make it..? This i leave to an extract from SKY,” In my ageing mind, all political parties are a necessary evil in Malaysia. You cannot really live with them, and you cannot live without them.

There will be many who will contradict the political watchers theory of  GOLDEN TRIANGLE but in todays MALAYSIAN politics nothing ever surprises us anymore.

We say as always,”MU will still be the team to beat in the coming Premier League season. ..Any bets..!!”