Is Vladimir Putin the most despicable man of the modern age?

The new year rolled on with a chill in more ways than one. While a real battle was being waged by Israel and Hamas against one another in the Middle East, Russia made Europe shiver in its boots in one of the coldest winters in the modern era by shutting off the precious gas supply that reached Europe by pipelines in Ukraine.

Russia had accused Ukraine of stealing gas that passed through the Ukrainian soil. Ukraine, of course denied any kleptomaniac tendencies.

But the interesting thing is this -- when the Russians launched a war on Georgia on the day that the Olympic Games was launched in Beijing, China, in August last year, those of us not on the receiving end of the missiles, tank artillery and other destructive firepower were perversely fascinated by the precision-timing of the war. Here was the world at that time distracted by the Olympic games and the attack on Georgia was akin to a stealth attack on the unsuspecting in the quiet of the night. The whole world sat up momentarily and looked at Russia's action -- but the pull of the Olympics was far too great.

However, that assault on Georgia was also a time when the world saw hints of the real man behind the power structure of the Russian regime: Vladimir Putin. There's something mesmerizingly ruthless about the man. His is a mien of a man who can be utterly unfeeling in felling others. I suppose a solid KGB training would do that to any man.

Putin is the Prime Minister of Russia and Dmitry Medvedev is the President of Russia.

Now, with the recent gas crisis -- it is very clear that the man with God-like power in Russia IS Vladimir Putin, without any doubt whatsoever. Mevedev is merely his puppet, meant to do all of Putin's bidding. But guess what? No one likes Putin at all anymore. Neither do people find him even remotely charismatic or fascinating as a leader. Through his actions, he has simply come across as an evil man who is unscrupulous and deludes himself into thinking that the time to strike is either when the world is distracted or the people are brought down to their knees by something or another (like the cold did the Europeans in December-January).

What has really set me off against Putin is the brutal killing/assasination of journalists and human rights activists in Russia. Putin is downright despicable, as far as the world's intellectuals are concerned.

Photo caption: Vlad the Impaler -- is that you PUTIN on the Ritz?
Photo credit: picture of Vladimir Putin from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-486897/Head-Russian-secret-service-accuses-MI6-plotting-Putin.html

FROM ZERO TO HERO... GORDON BROWN THE SUPER TECHNOCRAT!

It is interesting to see British Prime Minister Gordon Brown rise to the occasion as the global financial markets crumble under the weight of human greed and misguide drive to profit blindly.

Gordon Brown's method of nationalizing the banks in UK has been widely applauded and even the United States -- very, very reluctantly (shame on you for being so obnoxious Paulson!) and potentially bringing a greater sense of transparanecy and accountability into the world of banking is to be admired.

The present global crisis has saved Gordon Brown's career and he is shining in his role as a leader. All his experience from being the chancellor of the exchequer in the past is coming to the service on UK brilliantly and the world is able to see what a fine and brilliant technocrat Gordon Brown truly is.

Photo of Gordon Brown from AP.

NEVER, EVER DISHONOR THE MALAYSIAN FLAG

IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT SOME MISGUIDED SOULS ARE URGING MALAYSIANS TO PUT UP OUR BELOVED FLAG UPSIDE DOWN. THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED OR TOLERATED.

JALUR GEMILANG IS A SACRED PART OF ALL MALAYSIANS AND IT REPRESENTS HONOR AND GREATNESS. ANYONE WHO DISRESPECTS THE FLAG MUST NEVER BE LET OFF THE HOOK.

AS IT IS, THE FACT THAT THE CULPRITS WHO HAVE SUGGESTED SUCH AN ATROCIOUS AND UNFORGIVABLE THING ARE FREE MEN AND WOMEN SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE FREEDOM ENJOYED BY THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY. AND IT IS TO DATUK SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI'S CREDIT THAT PEOPLE HAVE SO MUCH FREEDOM TO EXPRESS THEIR DISSATISFACTION AFTER A PARTICULARLY OPPRESSIVE PERIOD IN MALAYSIAN HISTORY. BUT AS EVEN THE PRESENT PM MIGHT SAY, "DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK!"

RESPECT THE FLAG!

MALAYSIAN POLITICS MATURES

The most beautiful outcome of the recent general election is that it shows that Malaysians are coping rather well post election. The various victorious parties alternate to Barisan Nasional are finding their groove and shaping up well. In the meantime, the Prime Minister is showing how the political due processes work in the country and even he is learning that the power of the age old consultative style still prevails over threats and harsh words (especially against the palaces).

For these reasons, Malaysians have to monitor that politicians put in place a series of systems and processes that lets politicians do their work (or get booted out of office!) and the next batch of politicians (whatever their orientation be) can step in and do what they should do in the interest of the rakyat ad infinitum.

ANWAR IBRAHIM IS BACK, IN A BIG, BIG WAY!

Our country Malaysia is definitely growing and maturing at a rapid phase now, post March 8 general elections. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave The Sun a spectacular interview on Thursday and by all means this man looks ready to lead the country again (if he isn't already doing it -- it is his swift and expert handling of the alternative front that handed this front the stunning victories it won and he is mentoring the newbies even as we speak).

By the looks of things, Anwar has matured beyond many people's wildest expectations as a politician and he has grown larger-than-life in his aspirations for Malaysians of all races. The Sun's interview spoke frankly about many things -- and Malaysians obviously have evolved into a more sophisticated society and are better able to deal with supposedly touchy topics in an admirably open and frank way.

I am looking forward to seeing the rise of Anwar.

WHAT NEXT? A WAVE OF THE KERIS AT PARENTS?

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is upset with parents on the issue of extra charges borne by parents of school-going children. And his comments in the papers has been very unbecoming. It is about time Ministers in Malaysia realise that they are holding their positions at the pleasure of the people and their positions are not privileges.

Everything done by every Minister in Malaysia must be done for the greater good of Malaysians in general.

I personally feel that education and healthcare in the country must be made absolutely free. For this, we must liberally use money from Petronas. It is a state-owned company -- which to me means it must benefit every single Malaysian. School and medical facilities in Malaysia must exceed needs through the use of the petro-ringgit.

At the moment, looking at the employment practice of Petronas, it looks like this national company is targeted to benefit only certain segments of the population. C'mon -- Malaysians of every creed and colour must benefit from such a company. That is the only correct thing to do.

In terms of the Minister matter above and Petronas -- it needs to be drummed into the minds of all Malaysians that the era of the demi-godness of political privilege and position as implied by Tun Dr Mahathir's leadership are over. In the era of the beloved current Prime Minister of Malaysia, it is all about equitable distribution of wealth and the creation of a truly just society where every single Malaysian should be able to look forward to decent food, education and health in life.