KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 ― The National Patriots Association (Patriot) wants the government to explain its RM81 million allocation to the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia.

Patriot President Brig-Jen (Retired) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji also questioned the decision to bring back the controversial department that had been criticised for being a propaganda tool, saying there were other existing agencies that could disseminate information about government initiatives and programmes.

“What is so special about Jasa that other agencies of the ministry could not do? This is sheer duplication of tasks and wastage of funds. At a time when our country is so squeezed of funds, such wastage is irresponsible,” he said in a statement today.

He said Jasa had deviated from its original objectives over the years and had become a political propaganda machinery during Barisan Nasional’s rule to be used against its political rivals.


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Barring a twist inconceivable even by the standards of 2020, we will soon know the result of the US presidential election – and it will almost certainly be a cause for rejoicing. Donald Trump, the man who has haunted the world’s dreams and sparked a thousand nightmares, has all but lost. On 20 January 2021, he will probably leave the White House – or be removed if necessary. The Trump presidency, a shameful chapter in the history of the republic, will soon be over.

True, it is taking longer than we might have liked. There was to be no swift moment of euphoria and elation, an unambiguous landslide announced on election night with a drumroll and fireworks display. Instead, thanks to a pandemic that meant two in three Democrats voted by slower-to-count mail-in ballots, it’s set to be a win in increments, a verdict delivered in slow motion. Nor was there the hoped-for “blue wave” that might have carried the Democrats to a majority in the US Senate (though there is, just, a way that could yet happen). As a result, it will be hard for Joe Biden to do what so urgently needs to be done, whether that’s tackling the climate crisis, racial injustice, economic inequality, America’s parlous infrastructure or its dysfunctional and vulnerable electoral machinery. And it is glumly true that even if Trump is banished from the Oval Office, Trumpism will live on in the United States.

And yet none of that should obscure the main event that has taken place this week. It’s a form of progressive masochism to search for the defeat contained in a victory. Because a victory is what this will be.

Recall the shock and disgust that millions – perhaps billions – have felt these past four years, as Trump sank to ever lower depths. When he was ripping children from their parents and keeping them in cages; when he was blithely exchanging “love letters” with the murderous thug that rules the slave state of North Korea; when he was coercing Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden, or else lose the funds it needed to defend itself against Vladimir Putin, the high crime for which he was impeached; when he was denying the reality of the coronavirus, insisting it would just melt away, thereby leaving more than 235,000 Americans to their fate and their deaths – when he was doing all that, what did his opponents long for? The wish, sometimes uttered to the heavens, was not complicated: they wanted Trump’s defeat and ejection from power. Few attached the rider that it would only count if the Democrats could also pick up a Senate seat in North Carolina.


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PORTLAND: Calling on election officials to “count every vote,” protesters marched through the streets of several American cities Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump’s aggressive effort to challenge the vote count in Tuesday’s presidential election.

In Minneapolis, protesters blocked a freeway, prompting arrests. In Portland, hundreds gathered on the waterfront to protest the president’s attempted interventions in the vote count as a separate group protesting the police and u ..

Read more at: Economic Times

OK, perhaps not exactly what you were hoping for. Election night wasn't a real thriller for a whole lot of people, and now it looks as if we're going to be counting votes for … quite a while. Will everybody still be talking about it at Thanksgiving dinner? If so, be careful not to invite your cousin in Pennsylvania who forgot to vote.

Meru Valley’s Patchwork Society is spreading some traditional cheer with handsewn Batik and patchwork face masks, with funds raised to support the care of disabled children.

Mark your calendars as the Patchwork Society will be holding their thirteenth annual charity bazaar at the Function Room on 7 November 2020, from 9am to 5pm.

The bazaar will feature handmade crafts, food (Japanese sushi, muffins, and cookies) and a jumble-sale corner with porcelains and housewares up for grabs.

All proceeds from the bazaar will be channelled to Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Setia Silibin, to help support the care of disabled children.

Initiated by Datin Mina Ushiama, the Patchwork society get together every Tuesday for the love and passion of handicraft and sewing. They’ve created beautiful crafts items such as face masks purses, bags, cot quilts, coasters, handphone cases, bags, passport holders and many others.

Speaking about the bazaar, Datin Ushiama said: “This year we have handmade reusable face mask to keep everyone safe. There will be two designs- one type is made from ‘Batik’ material and the other one is made of attractive prints and gauze, which has four layers (2 layers of cotton and 2 layers of gauze) and would be very comfortable. These masks are priced at RM 7 per piece.”

She further explained: “This time round we have added patchwork collections from some professional patchwork artist from KL, Ms Bovey Ho, Ms.Yoriko Sugihara and Ms. Yukiko Kojima in this bazaar. Ms. Bovey Ho used to donate her crochet bags and dolls for our annual bazaars, however this year she has made elaborated face masks upon huge demand, which will be sold at RM12 per piece. Ms. Yoriko has donated us her handmade bags, purses, and ceramics like vases, teapots and cups. Meanwhile Ms. Yukiko has donated some of her handmade crafts to us to be sold at the bazaar.”

With the festive season just around the corner, take this opportunity to purchase fine handmade crafts as gifts and support the lives of disabled children with your generosity. Bring your neighbours and friends and pencil in on 7 November for a day of craft and a good cause.

For more information on the event, please contact Jia Huey at 05-529 3354. See you there!



https://meruvalley.com.my/patchwork-soci...ty-bazaar/