Hello 2007 !! What say you?

Afgani	Saale Nao Mubbarak
Afrikaans	Gelukkige nuwe jaar
Albanian	Gezuar Vitin e Ri
Armenian	Snorhavor Nor Tari
Arabic	Antum salimoun
Assyrian	Sheta Brikhta
Azeri	Yeni Iliniz Mubarek!
Bengali	Shuvo Nabo Barsho
Bulgarian	×åñòèòà Íîâà Ãîäèíà(pronounced "Chestita Nova Godina")
Cambodian	Soursdey Chhnam Tmei
Catalan	FELIÇ ANY NOU
Chinese	Xin Nian Kuai Le
Corsican Language	Pace e Salute
Croatian	Sretna Nova godina!
Cymraeg (Welsh)	Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Czechoslovakia	Scastny Novy Rok
Denish	Godt Nytår
Dhivehi	Ufaaveri Aa Aharakah Edhen
Dutch	GELUKKIG NIEUWJAAR!
Eskimo	Kiortame pivdluaritlo
Esperanto	Felican Novan Jaron
Estonians	Head uut aastat!
Finnish	Onnellista Uutta Vuotta
French	Bonne Annee
Gaelic	Bliadhna mhath ur
Galician [NorthWestern Spain]	Bo Nadal e Feliz Aninovo
German	Prosit Neujahr
Greek	Kenourios Chronos
Gujarati	Nutan Varshbhinandan
Hawaiian	Hauoli Makahiki Hou
Hebrew	L'Shannah Tovah
Hindi	Naye Varsha Ki Shubhkamanyen
Hong kong	(Cantonese) Sun Leen Fai Lok
Hungarian	Boldog Ooy Ayvet
Indonesian	Selamat Tahun Baru
Iranian	Saleh now mobarak
Iraqi	Sanah Jadidah
Irish	Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit
Italian:	Felice anno nuovo
Japan:	Akimashite Omedetto Gozaimasu
Kabyle:	Asegwas Amegaz
Kannada:	Hosa Varushadha Shubhashayagalu
Kisii:	SOMWAKA OMOYIA OMUYA
Khmer:	Sua Sdei tfnam tmei
Korea:	Saehae Bock Mani ba deu sei yo!
Kurdish:	NEWROZ PIROZBE
Lithuanian:	Laimingu Naujuju Metu
Laotian:	Sabai dee pee mai
Macedonian	Srekjna Nova Godina
Malay	Selamat Tahun Baru
Marathi :	Nveen Varshachy Shubhechcha
Malayalam :	Puthuvatsara Aashamsakal
Maltese	Is-Sena t- Tajba
Nepal	Nawa Barsha ko Shuvakamana
Norwegian	Godt Nyttår
Papua New Guinea	Nupela yia i go long yu
Pampango (Philippines)	Masaganang Bayung Banua
persian	Saleh now ra tabrik migouyam
Philippines	Manigong Bagong Taon
Polish:	Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
Portuguese	Feliz Ano Novo
Punjabi	Nave sal di mubarak
Romanian	AN NOU FERICIT
Russian	S Novim Godom
Samoa	Manuia le Tausaga Fou
Serbo-Croatian	Sretna nova godina
Sindhi	Nayou Saal Mubbarak Hoje
Singhalese	Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
siraiki	Nawan Saal Shala Mubarak Theevay
Slovak	A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovenian	sreèno novo leto
Somali	Iyo Sanad Cusub Oo Fiican!
Spanish	Feliz Ano ~Nuevo
Swahili	Heri Za Mwaka Mpyaº
Swedish	GOTT NYTT ÅR! /Gott nytt år!
Sudanese	Warsa Enggal
Tamil	Eniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal
Telugu	Noothana samvatsara shubhakankshalu
Thai	Sawadee Pee Mai
Turkish	Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian	Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku
Urdu	Naya Saal Mubbarak Ho
Uzbek	Yangi Yil Bilan
Vietnamese	Chuc Mung Tan Nien
Welsh :	Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

May this new year bring many opportunities your way, to explore every joy of life and may your resolutions for the days ahead stay firm, turning all your dreams into reality and all your efforts into great achievements.

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go

The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.

Malaysians ushered in the new year with cheerful celebrations and eagerly welcomed the arrival of Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

Malaysia is set to dazzle visitors from all over the world with its culture, art, history, food, nature and, most importantly, its multi-ethnic people as the country opens its door for the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007.

With various events planned throughout the year, VMY 2007 aims to aggressively market and promote the country as a major international tourist destination.

The VMY 2007, with the theme "One Golden Celebration" is the third campaign after two successful efforts in 1990 and 1994.

The campaign is made more significant by the fact that the country is celebrating its 50 years of nationhood.

Malaysia is determined to give tourists a pleasant surprise with 50 major events to commemorate the country's independence on Merdeka Day on Aug 31.

The announced toll increase of between 20 and 60 per cent on five highways in the Klang Valley start at 6 am Monday, 2007, Happy New 'Toll' Year !!

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Sunday extended New Year greetings to all Malaysians and called on the people, particularly of the new generation, to build on the nation's successes in 2007, which coincides with the country's 50th anniversary of independence.

He also asked the people of the various communities to consolidate solidarity to amass collective strength in the pursuit of greater national progress.

"We have to strive to build on our efforts with greater determination, by utilising all the opportunities and facilities which are far better than what we have had, especially at the time when we just achieved our independence," he said in his New Year message broadcast over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).

Abdullah said the capability of Malaysians today is far greater than that of the previous generation because the younger generation is in possession of ample knowledge.

They have among them professionals, experts and researchers in various disciplines, all of whom are contributing to national development, he added.

"In fact, there are more people today who have much knowledge, particularly in science and technology, and know-how associated with various professions. This only goes to show that our capability today is far greater than what we had," he said.

Abdullah said that while striving to enhance national development with the knowledge they have, the people have to understand the factors that contributed to the nation's strength to continue to enjoy peace and progress over the last 50 years.

"We have to remember that inter-racial solidarity, goodwill, tolerance and consensus are very important. We have to understand and be thankful to those who had worked hard to develop our country," he said.

More importantly, the new generation has to understand and learn the methods deployed by past leaders and, before applying them, strive to improve the approach by taking into account the current situation and challenges, he said.

Abdullah said leaders of the past always worked together with community leaders, and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders who represented the major political parties of the country always gave preference to the people and country in every action they took.

"Such consensus and cooperation are woven into what has come to be known as power sharing, which has made our country a nation well respected by many," he said.

Abdullah also said that in their pursuit of the desired progress, the people must also be mindful of the competition from other countries as well as globalisation and liberalisation which demand that they work hard to enhance their ability and capability to compete.

"Our ability and capability must come from mental, physical and spiritual strength. We have to acquire knowledge in various disciplines that can be beneficial to us," he said.

This includes knowledge in science and technology as well as new knowledge that drives economic growth, such as information and communication technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology,

Abdullah also spoke of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), saying that though the government has determined the framework, programmes and projects, it does not mean that the people cannot add on projects that they are convinced can bring about huge success.

"They can carry out projects that they know can bring success to them, their families and the nation but it is important that they understand that all the programmes must adhere to the National Mission that we have set," he said.

Abdullah also reminded the people to be always thankful for the blessings of God.

"Muslims understand that if we are thankful for God's blessings, He will shower us with more blessings.

"Most importantly, we must put in our effort ... all Malaysians have to strive for a glorious future.

"Ours is a future of progress and success ... only we can determine such a future, with the strength that we build together," he said.


Tun Dr M issued a press statement "The Barbaric Lynching of President Saddam Hussein"
to end the year 2006.

On the Holy day of Eid, the world watched in horror at the barbaric lynching of President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, allegedly for crimes against humanity. This public murder was sanctioned by the War Criminals, President Bush and Prime Minister Blair.

This sadistic act broadcasted to the whole world is a travesty of justice, and was meant to demonstrate the imperial power of the United States and serves as a warning to peace loving peoples that we must either bow to the dictates of the Bush regime or face the consequences of a public lynching.

The lynching was also an insult to all Muslims, as it occurred on the Holy Day of Eid, whereby Muslims devote themselves to prayer and forgiveness. It is all too clear that the war criminal Bush has no sensitivities whatsoever for Muslims on their pilgrimage to Mecca. This barbaric act is a sacrilege!

The entire trial process was a mockery of justice, no less a Kangaroo Court. Defence counsels were brutally murdered, witnesses threatened and judges removed for being impartial and replaced by puppet judges. Yet, we are told that Iraq was invaded to promote democracy, freedom and justice.

A peaceful country has now been turned into a war zone. Over 500,000 children died as a result of the criminal economic sanctions, and the latest findings by the medical journal, Lancet reveals that over 650,000 Iraqis have died since the illegal invasion of 2003.

The War Criminal Bush has killed more Iraqis than President Saddam ever did, if in fact he was guilty of any crime. If President Saddam Hussein is guilty of war crimes, then the world must find Bush, Blair and Howard equally guilty and the International Criminal Court cannot but prosecute these war criminals. The inaction thus far by the International Criminal Court against Bush, Blair and Howard exposes the double standard of the said Court, when it does not hesitate to prosecute war crimes committed in Dalfur, Rwanda and Kosovo.

If we support human rights and justice, we must condemn this barbaric lynching of President Saddam Hussein. There can be no excuse whatsoever for this injustice under any circumstances. War Criminal Bush and the puppet regime in Iraq have made a mockery of the Rule of Law.

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Member of the International Committee
For the Defence of President Saddam Hussein
30th December 2006

Striking a better balance between work and play, taking more exercise and avoiding disastrous relationships top resolution lists around the world this New Year.

Global research group ACNielsen surveyed consumers in 46 countries and found from the United States to Vietnam that more than half of those interviewed wanted work to play a lesser role in their lives in 2007.

One in three U.S. consumers -- who have the highest rate of obesity in the developed world -- also planned to go on a diet.

"Consumers have realized a healthy lifestyle is not about the latest celebrity diet or trendy exercise fads, but is simply about having a balanced diet and lifestyle," ACNielsen Europe President Patrick Dodd said.

Smoking bans passed in 2006 in countries from Spain to Uruguay looked to be bolstering the global health trend with one in five smokers polled admitting they were aiming to cut down or quit next year.

Exercise was also in the spotlight, with Filippinos, Australians and Singaporeans most committed to being more active.

"In many countries, 2006 was the year that "natural" and "organic" moved into the mainstream and this trend is likely to gain momentum in the year ahead," Dodd said.

The drive to detox also stretched to more intimate parts of people's lives. One in five consumers globally said they wanted 2007 to be the year they avoided "disastrous relationships."

In 2007, I resolve to ...

* Be The Listener before being The Decider. - President Bush

• Aim before I fire. - Vice President Cheney

• Augment wonky policy prescriptions with personal style. - Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

• Augment personal style with wonky policy prescriptions. - Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

• Pick fights with Republicans, not Democrats. - Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

• Deposit cash in the bank, not the freezer. - Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record), D-La.

• Deposit classified documents at the National Archives, not under construction trailers. - Former national security adviser Samuel Berger

• Study Middle East history. - Incoming House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas

• Look for men my own age. - Former representative Mark Foley, R-Fla.

• Stop trying to tell jokes. - Sen.John Kerry, D-Mass.

• Stick to telling jokes. - Ranting comedian Michael Richards

• Blame America second. - Ranting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

• Visit Auschwitz and the Holocaust Museum. - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

• Get a decent haircut and not blow up the world. - North Korean leader Kim Jong Il

• Give up power when my term is up. Really. - Russian President Vladimir Putin

• Not buy green bananas. - Condemned Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein

• Reject "hypothetical" murder confessions. - Book publisher Judith Regan

• Wear underpants. - Singer Britney Spears

• Ignore Donald Trump. - Talk show hostess Rosie O'Donnell

• Ignore Rosie O'Donnell. - Businessman/reality TV star Donald Trump

• Stay ahead of Warren Buffett in charitable giving. - Microsoft founder Bill Gates

• Give my $200 million golden parachute to shareholders or the Gates' foundation. - Former Pfizer CEO Hank McKinnell

• Learn to play solitaire. - Jailed former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling

• Learn to speak Greenspanese. - Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke

• Never play football, or ride my motorcycle, without a helmet. - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger

• Use my head, not lose my head. - French soccer star Zinedine Zidane

• Retire gracefully after my 754th home run. - San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds

• Play golf left-handed, to give others a chance. - Tiger Woods

• Shut my mouth and catch the damn ball. - Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens

---

Bifocal lenses required for Malaysia

Vision 2020 was supposed to be Malaysia's answer to globalisation and ever increasing competition from its Asian neighbours - a national agenda devised by Mahathir Mohammad in 1990, to ensure Malaysia attained developed nation status by 2020. With 13 years left in the race, the outlook is significantly less than what was hoped for.

The recently concluded UMNO General Assembly in November 2006 recorded the accomplishments and flops in Malaysia's desire to join the ranks of Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. After almost fifty years of independence from the British colonialists, race relations are precarious at best and brittle at its worst.

As the economy continues to splutter, frustration finds its form in deep-rooted prejudices and chauvinism among Malays, Chinese and Indians. Bloggers and the Internet unmask any pretension of what Malaysians think of each other. Most comments are vitriolic and hate-inspired. Some local politicians have even questioned what being a Malaysian means. At the halfway point, Malaysia seems to have lost sight of its place in the new millennia.

The rakyat is well aware that the racial card is once again being played and the Singapore bogeyman is back. Local pundits argue that bloody events such as the 1969 race riots and the Al Mau'nah militant group tragedy are but distant memories. The fact is that these horror stories are being passed down to this empowered generation. National Service training camps are rife with rumours of racial conflict and history seems to be repeating itself.

Nonetheless, its a good time for prayer and reflection. The bumiputera majority in celebrating Aidiladha will remind itself of the obligation and responsibility to treat peoples of all races and religions fairly. Politicians may spew seditious rhetoric but Islam preaches peace. The demonisation of long accepted rituals such as open houses, Kongxi-Raya and Deepa-Raya as well as the witch-hunt for apostates cast a dark shadow over multi-racial Malaysia and freedom of worship.

Every Malaysian's wish for the New Year would be an arrest of the decline of the country. Never before has Malaysia in prosperous times seen such a rapid disintegration of its civil society and a lethargic economy. Race based politics and policies are becoming a burden, weighing on the conscience of the people.

The National Economic Policy (NEP) continues to stand on noble principles and ideals. However, even the Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has warned that using crutches for too long makes one's knees weak. The apparent failure of the NEP is a result of mismanagement and cronyism. A large section of the middle class and professional bumiputeras are against the political patronage legitimised by the misapplication of the NEP.

The Barisan Nasional coalition could loose its two thirds majority in parliament in the next general elections predicted for 2008. To say that voters are discontented would be an understatement. The recent toll hikes of up to 60% hits home hard. Statistics cannot cloak the inflationary pressures and many hard working Malaysians already hit by increasing oil and diesel prices are finding it impossible to make ends meet. All this as politicians talk shamelessly about global and international expectations on a daily basis.

The local broadsheet, The New Straits Times in an piece dated 17 December 2006 paints an even bleaker picture. "On an average, we used to receive between 15 and 20 enquiries (on migration) a day....however, over the last two weeks, our phones have been ringing non-stop", said Desmond, a migration agent in Kuala Lumpur. The same paper posited that "this ringing non-stop translates into about 6,500 migration enquiries to Australia between 14 and 19 Nov 2006". The paper, quoting an immigration expert went on to say, "I do not have the exact details, but I think the callers were of all races — Malays, Indians, Chinese and others".

The malaise in Malaysia is well known. Corruption, waste, poor implementation and enforcement of policies are the order of the day. It would be an exaggeration to blame this on the Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi who continues to be respected by the laity, but the chalice of malaise is in his hands and only his government can legitimately deal with the problem. Although support for the Prime Minister is significant, the country's travails are biting at his popularity. A popular local blog, aisehman.org opined, "I long to see us having a "commoner" for a Prime Minister. We have never had one before."

The comparisons being made between Malaysia and her neighbours are not flattering either. The International Herald Tribune on 13 Dec 2006 ran two front-page stories of note - one on Malaysia and the other, on its neighbour Indonesia. The stark difference between both stories could not have been more apparent. The Indonesian story was headlined - "A Golden Age for Indonesian Chinese", with one of the Indonesian President's advisors, Dino Patti Djalal positing, "we now take multiculturalism as a given in life". The Malaysian story was considerably less effusive. In fact, the headline said it all, "In Malaysia official preferences remain, tensions rise".

A recent Malaysian study suggested that under correction of myopia led to a more rapid progression of the condition. The analogy could not be have been more apt when juxtaposed against the state of Malaysia today.
- Imran Imtiaz
Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob is a broadcast journalist and trained lawyer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


Mahathir Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Malaysia new year 2007 VMY toll hikes