VOICES FROM FAR

Shoddiness of electrical wiring work vs quality of electrical material?

2017-02-10T15:42:00.000+08:00

6th February 2017, 5.30am-

A fire broke out in a house in USJ12 Subang Jaya and 4 family members were perished.

The fire broke out at living hall and all the victims were trapped upstairs .

The fire service department suspected it was caused by short circuit. However the relatives of the deceased had refuted saying that the house was recently renovated and the electrical wirings had been replaced.

Was the fire the result of the shoddiness of the electrical rewiring work or was it the sub-quality of the electrical wiring materials?

Whatever the cause was, it was a traumatic and tragic loss for the deceased family members. Our heartfelt condolences to the surviving member.

In the wake of that happening, many had of opinion that every home should have gas leak detector, smoke alarm, fire escape and fire extinguisher. But these precautionary measures will only be a reality if only the housing by-laws have regulation for such must-have safety features to be built in all homes ( both landed and high rise property) and serious enforcement on qualified electrical work and renovation undertaken by all contractors. This is to ensure there are no short falls in the quality of electrical wiring materials been supplied and sold in the market to any layman.

However the public should take heed of precautionary note to ensure the electric circuit breaker is working so that any leakage will trip off the electricity supply to the house. It is also advised not to charge hand phones overnight for the fear of the batteries might explode and to place these hand phones charging overnight on combustible surface such as wooden table, shelf or sofas.

What is being a father to you like...?

2012-06-15T12:46:00.001+08:00

Little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, 'Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river.' The little girl said, 'No, Dad. You hold my hand.' 'What's the difference?' Asked the puzzled father. 'There's a big difference,' replied the little girl. 'If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go.' In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond. So hold the hand of the person who loves you rather than expecting them to hold yours... This message is too short......but carries a lot of Feelings. FATHERS ! - REMEMBER THIS WISE SAYING HAPPY FATHER`S DAY 2012 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Di Zhi Gua in times of crisis ,huh!!

2011-04-06T22:01:00.021+08:00

This letter, was written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh, who is working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam. It was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan 's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai Daily condensed it. Brother- How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.

Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks. We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.

I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order. They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do.

The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.

Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.

Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. It was getting very cold and the boy was at the ver of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left.

So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away. I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives. The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?" The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed. I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally." When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry. A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people. Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again. Ha Minh Thanh ************ LESSON TO LEARN FROM JAPAN *********** 10 things to learn from Japan. 1. THE CALM Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself hasbeen elevated. 2. THE DIGNITY Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or acrude gesture. 3. THE ABILITY The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’tfall. 4. THE GRACE People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody couldget something. 5. THE ORDER No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Justunderstanding. 6. THE SACRIFICE Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How willthey ever be repaid? 7. THE TENDERNESS Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strongcared for the weak. 8. THE TRAINING The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And theydid just that. 9. THE MEDIA They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No sillyreporters. Only calm reportage. 10. THE CONSCIENCE When the power went off in a store, people put things back on theshelves and left quietly. I see all these lessons learned as translated down from the simple and effective teaching of Di Zhi Gua. Asian chinese society enforces the teaching of Di Zhi Gua to their children and the society as a whole live by it as a norm in their lifes. I guess we see the fruits of Di Zhi Gua teachings in the Japanese tsunami...

What the modern woman wants...?

2010-11-11T22:31:00.007+08:00

A good piece to share
***************************************************
A Singapore girl wins Commonwealth essay prize, in a writing contest that drew 5,300 entries from 52 countries...

In the annual Commonwealth Essay Competition, Amanda Chong of
Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) chose to compete in the older category and won with a piece on the restlessness of modern life.

Her short story, titled What The Modern Woman Wants, focused on the
conflict in values between an old lady and her independent-minded daughter.

'Through my story, I attempted to convey the unique East-vs-West
struggles and generation gaps that I felt were characteristic of young people in my country,' said Amanda, who likes drama, history and literature and wants to become a lawyer and a politician.

===================================================

What the Modern Woman Wants...
By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen

The old woman sat in the backseat of the magenta convertible as it
careened down the highway, clutching tightly to the plastic bag on her lap, afraid it may be kidnapped by the wind. She was not used to such speed, with trembling hands she pulled the seat belt tighter but was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her callused fingers, her daughter had warned her not to dirty it, 'Fingerprints show very clearly on white, Ma.'

Her daughter, Bee Choo, was driving and talking on her sleek silver
mobile phone using big words the old woman could barely understand.
'Finance', 'Liquidation', 'Assets', 'Investments'... Her voice was crisp and
important and had an unfamiliar lilt to it.

Her Bee Choo sounded like one of those foreign girls on television.
She was speaking in an American accent.The old lady clucked her tongue in disapproval...... 'I absolutely cannot have this. We have to sell!' Her daughter exclaimed agitatedly as she stepped on the accelerator; her perfectly manicured fingernails gripping onto the steering wheel in irritation.

'I can't DEAL with this anymore!' she yelled as she clicked the
phone shut and hurled it angrily toward the backseat.. The mobile phone hit the old woman on the forehead and nestled soundlessly into her lap. She calmly picked it up and handed it to her daughter..

'Sorry, Ma,' she said, losing the American pretence and switching
to Mandarin. 'I have a big client in America . There have been a lot of
problems.'

The old lady nodded knowingly. Her daughter was big and important.

Bee Choo stared at her mother from the rear view window, wondering
what she was thinking. Her mother's wrinkled countenance always carried the same cryptic look. The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune, which broke the awkward silence.

'Hello, Beatrice! Yes, this is Elaine.' Elaine. The old woman cringed. I didn't name her Elaine. She remembered her daughter telling her, how an English name was very important for 'networking', Chinese ones
being easily forgotten.

'Oh no, I can't see you for lunch today. I have to take the ancient relic to the temple for her weird daily prayer ritual.' Ancient Relic. The old woman understood perfectly it was referring to her. Her daughter always assumed that her mother's silence meant she did not comprehend.

'Yes, I know! My car seats will be reeking of joss sticks!' The old woman pursed her lips tightly, her hands gripping her plastic bag in
defence.

The car curved smoothly into the temple courtyard. It looked almost garish next to the dull sheen of the ageing temple's roof. The old
woman got out of the back seat, and made her unhurried way to the main hall. Her daughter stepped out of the car in her business suit and stilettos and reapplied her lipstick as she made her brisk way to her mother's side.

'Ma, I'll wait outside.. I have an important phone call to make,' she said, not bothering to hide her disgust at the pungent fumes of incense. The old lady hobbled into the temple hall and lit a joss stick, she knelt down solemnly and whispered her now familiar daily prayer to the Gods. Thank you God of the Sky, you have given my daughter luck all these years. Everything I prayed for, you have given her. She has everything a young woman in this world could possibly want. She has a big house with a swimming pool, a maid to help her, as she is too clumsy to sew or cook. Her love life has been blessed; she is engaged to a rich and handsome angmoh man. Her company is now the top financial firm and even men listen to what she says... She lives the perfect life. You have given her everything except happiness. I ask that the gods be merciful to her even if she has lost her roots while reaping the harvest of success.

What you see is not true, she is a filial daughter to me. She gives me a room in her big house and provides well for me. She is rude to me only because I affect her happiness.. A young woman does not want to be hindered by her old mother. It is my fault.

The old lady prayed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, with her head bowed in reverence she planted the half-burnt joss stick into an urn of smoldering ashes.

She bowed once more. The old woman had been praying for her daughter for thirty-two years. When her stomach was round like a melon, she came to the temple and prayed that it was a son. Then the time was ripe and the baby slipped out of her womb, bawling and adorable with fat thighs and pink cheeks, but unmistakably, a girl. Her husband had ticked and punched her for producing a useless baby who could not work or carry the family name.

Still, the woman returned to the temple with her new-born girl tied to her waist in a sarong and prayed that her daughter would grow up and have everything she ever wanted.

Her husband left her and she prayed that her daughter would never
have to depend on a man. She prayed every day that her daughter would be a great woman, the woman that she, meek and uneducated, could never become. A woman with nengkan; the ability to do anything she set her mind to. A woman who commanded respect in the hearts of men. When she opened her mouth to speak, precious pearls would fall out and men would listen. She will not be like me, the woman prayed as she watched her daughter grow up and drift away from her, speaking a language she scarcely understood..

She watched her daughter transform from a quiet girl to one who
openly defied her, calling her laotu, old fashioned.... She wanted her mother to be 'modern', a word so new there was no Chinese word for it. Now her daughter was too clever for her and the old woman wondered why she had prayed like that. The Gods had been faithful to her persistent prayer, but the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots and now she stood faceless with no identity, bound to the soil of her ancestors by only a string of origami banknotes.

Her daughter had forgotten her mother's value. Her wants were so
ephemeral, that of a modern woman. Power, wealth, access to the best fashion boutiques and yet her daughter had not found true happiness.The old woman knew that you could find happiness with much less. When her daughter left the earth, everything she had would count for nothing. People would look to her legacy and say that she was a great woman but she would be forgotten once the wind blows over, like the ashes of burnt paper convertibles and mansions.

The old woman wished she could go back and erase all her big hopes
and prayers for her daughter now that she had looked out of the temple gates. She saw her daughter speaking on the phone, her brow furrowed with anger and worry. Being at the top is not good, the woman thought, there is only one way to go from there – down.

The old woman carefully unfolded the plastic bag and spread out a
packet of beehoon in front of the altar. Her daughter often mocked her for worshipping porcelain Gods. How could she pray to them so faithfully and expect pieces of ceramic to fly to her aid? But her daughter had her own gods too, idols of wealth, success and power that she enslaved to and worshipped every day of her life.

Every day was a quest for the idols, and the idols she worshipped
counted for nothing in eternity. All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her and leave her, an empty souless shell at the altar. The old woman watched the joss stick. The dull heat had left a teetering grey stem that was on the danger of collapsing.

Modern woman nowadays, the old lady signed in resignation, as she
bowed to the east bone final time to end her ritual. Modern woman nowadays want so much that they lose their souls and wonder whey they cannot find it. Her joss stick disintegrated into a soft grey powder. She met her daughter outside the temple, the same look of worry and frustration was etched on her daughter's face.

An empty expression, as if she was ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sown the seeds of happiness.They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not to fast as she had done before.‘Ma,’ Bee Choo finally said. "I don't know how to put this. Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to get a buyer willing to pay us seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer a cosier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road .. Once we move into our apartment, we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves....."

The old woman nodded knowingly. Bee Choo swallowed hard. "We'd
get someone to come in to do the housework and we can eat out – but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you. You will be awfully lonely at home and, besides that the apartment is rather small. There won't be space. We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a Home. There's one near Hougang – it's a Christian home and a very nice one."

The old woman did not raise an eyebrow. I"ve been there, the matron is willing to take you in. It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! Hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there." "You'd be happier there, really." her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself.

This time the old woman had no plastic bag of food offering to cling tightly to, she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag and her fingers trace the white seat.

Ma, her daughter asked, searching the rear view window for hermother. "Is everything okay?

What had to be done, had to be done. "Yes" she said firmly, louder than she intended, 'if it will make you happy,' she added more quietly..

‘It's for you, Ma! You will be happier there. You can move there tomorrow, I already got the maid to pack your things.' Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda.'I knew everything would be fine.' Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier... She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance in her pursuit of happiness. She was happy now. She had everything a modern woman ever wanted; money, status, career, love, power and now freedom without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down......

Yes she was free. Her phone butted urgently, she picked it up and
read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. "Stock 10% increase."Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up for her and while searching for the meaning of life in the luminance of her hand phone screen, the old woman in the backseat became invisible and she did not see her in tears.
********************************************************************

Awesome and how relevant it is in today`s world with our Generation Y...

So fellow friends, I just cant help but to think - Is life fair to us? For all those successful beings, had they ever asked how much have we parents done for them-putting so much to their growing up and education and bla..bla..till there is nothing left in our twilight days but to rely on them ? On the other hand, for those who had failed in the lifes, parents are to be blamed. Do we not have any voice in puttng up our disgruntles less we are not liked by them? Are we to accept it as just a social norm between eastern -western values/so called generataion gap problem/ its the way western education liberation behold?

Some may deem it as a warning to save enough for your old age and don't try to rely on your children. Your responsibility is to give them the necessary education/training and life after that is theirs. If they chose to look after you, it is a bonus and thank God for it.

For me, I call it ungratefulness, at least be grateful for all that the parents had done for them cos any parents will not ask much of them but gratitude and honour. We have to put a stop to this kind of decaying values in our children and children-slam some humanity in them, what more its the gratitude to their parenst they have to remember !!!

How to seal a bag airtight , the green way ?

2010-10-28T22:04:00.010+08:00

Seeing is believing and it is so simple. Kudos to this great brain that came up with this idea

How to seal a bag and make it air-tight!

Cut up a disposable plastic water bottle and keep the neck and top as shown in the picture

Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top – to seal.

Wow , what a fantastic idea!!!!!

The truth is the bottle is made to be air-tight and as such water will not leak.

The secret lies with the top and screw!

This is a great idea to share. Good for us and the environment too.

Is this not call an indigenious innovation, huh ?

Go Green 1Malaysia -this can be the beginning and way, and No big EPP needed for this innovation too.

HAPPY RECYCLING !!!

Dad, how was I born?

2010-09-04T14:40:00.009+08:00

Hi my dear friends, my apologies for being away for a while. On the same subject of humanity in you, I am utmost amaze at how baby dunmping is still an increasing issue among our teens..

Many ideas/ suggestions had been put forward as to how to solve the problem; amongst which were setting up of baby hatches, pregnant girl school and implementing sex education in school and bla..bla...Say what you like, discusiing sex or giving sex prep is not a norm in our Malaysian society even if we call ourselves living in a modern so called gobalised IT world..

For example- What would you say if your kid is to ask ` Dad, how was I born?

And this was what I was told when ... A little boy goes to his father and asks 'Daddy, how was I born?'

The father answers, 'Well, son, I guess one day you will need to find out
anyway! Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo. Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe. We sneaked into a secluded room, and goggled each other. There your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive. As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said:
????????

??????? ??

?????????

????????

YOU GOT MALE !!!!!!!!!!

Interseting, huh? And so technical and IT savy too? No wonder so many babies are made in this IT savy society via the ` social network wed-lock ', and dumped as if it is deleted on the internet, huh ?

Have you any better ideas as to how this issue of baby boom from this type of social network wed-lock be solved? Baby dumping is inhumane!

Slam some humanity in you !!!..

2010-06-05T11:40:00.016+08:00

NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast, has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa , officials said.

The hippopotamus,nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.

'It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother',' ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP.

'After it was swept away and lost its mother,the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond.They swim, eat and sleep together,' the ecologist added.

'The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother,' Kahumbu added

'The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years,' he explained.

'Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.'

This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another

In the words of Rachel Naomi Remen, MD-
'Much of life can never be explained, only witnessed.'

For some - `The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane.`

Hope this story will bring those surrogate mothers who had thrown away their new born babies to shame and dump some senses into them-even animals also have better instinct and humanity, huh?

Remember the baby-hatch is no answer to such sinful, merciless and irresponsible acts of dumping your newborns. I hope those babies that had died in these baby -dumping ordeals will haunt those guilty souls till end and to those babies that had survived would bring punishment to those who had done these dumpings discreetly.

Remember-`WHAT GOES AROUND WILL COME AROUND , OK ! `

To be a Mother ?

2010-05-07T21:58:00.015+08:00

For those lucky to still be blessed with your Mom, this is beautiful.
For those of us who aren't, this is even more beautiful.
For those who are moms, you'll love this.

A young mother set her foot on the path of life.
'Is this the long way?' she asked.
And the guide said: 'Yes, and the way is hard . And you will be old before you reach the end of it.. But the end will be better than the beginning.'

But the young mother was happy and she would not believe that anything could be better than those years. So she played with her children, gathered flowers for them along the way, bathed them in the clear streams; and when the sun shone on them, the young Mother cried, 'Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.'

Then the night came and the storm. The path was dark and the children shook with fear and cold. The mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle and the children said,
'Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.'

And when the morning came, there was a hill ahead .The children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, 'A little patience and we are there.'
So the children climbed and when they reached the top they said, 'Mother, we would not have done it without you.'

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, 'This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I've given them strength.'

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: ' Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.'

And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness.
And that night the Mother said, 'This is the=2 0best day of all, for I have shown my children God.'

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years. The mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage.

And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.

And mother said, 'I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.'

And the children said, 'You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.'
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her.
And they said: 'We cannot see her but she is with us still.
A Mother like ours is more than a memory.
She is a living presence.......'

Yes friends, your Mother is always with you....
She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street;
she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks;
she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter.
And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
She's the place you came from, your first home;
and she's the map you follow with every step you take.
She's your first love and your first heartbreak,
and nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, not space... not even death!

So to all those woman who are mothers, HAPPY MOTHER`S DAY.

For those who aren`t , including men and children, MOTHERS ARE PRICELESS , NEVER TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED .

and to those who had mothers no more, MOTHERS ARE FOREVER, THEY LIVE IN YOU.

Half Man - Half Price Store

2010-04-11T17:03:00.011+08:00

In life we keep complaining about what is or why we don't have.
Half the time we seem dissatisfied, though full-bodied and free to choose. Fat people say,"I want to be slim." Skinny people say,"I want to be fatter."
Poor people want to be rich and rich are never satisfied with what they have.

THE STORY OF PENG SHUILIN

PENG Shuilin is 78cms high. He was born in Hunan Province, China.

In 1995, in Shenzhen, a freight truck sliced his body in half.

His lower body and legs were beyond repair.

Surgeons sewed up his torso.

Peng Shuilin, 37, spent nearly two years in hospital in Shenzhen, southern China,

undergoing a series of operations to re-route nearly every major organ or system inside his body.

Peng kept exercising his arms, building up strength, washing his face and brushing his teeth.

He survived against all odds.

Now Peng Shulin has astounded doctors by learning to walk again after a decade.

Considering Peng's plight, doctors at the China Rehabilitation Research Centre in Beijing

devised an ingenious way to allow him to walk on his own,

creating a sophisticated egg cup-like casing to hold his body, with two bionic legs attached.

It took careful consideration, skilled measurement and technical expertise.

Peng has been walking the corridors of Beijing Rehabilitation Centre

with the aid of his specially adapted legs and a resized walking frame.

RGO is a recipicating gait orthosis, attached to a prosthetic socket bucket.

There is a cable attached to both legs so when one goes forward, the other goes backwards.

Rock to the side, add a bit of a twist and the leg without the weight on it advances,

while the other one stays still, giving a highly inefficient way of ambulation.

Oh so satisfying to 'walk' again after ten years with half a body!

Hospital vice-president Lin Liu said: "We've just given him a checkup; he is fitter than most men his age."

Peng Shuilin has opened his own bargain supermarket,

called the Half Man-Half Price Store.

The inspirational 37-year-old has become a businessman

and is used as a role model for other amputees.

At just 2ft 7ins tall, he moves around in a wheelchair giving lectures on recovery from disability.

His attitude is amazing, he doesn't complain.

"He had good care, but his secret is cheerfulness. Nothing ever gets him down."

You have a whole body. You have feet.
Now you have met a man who has no feet.
His life is a feat of endurance, a triumph of the human spirit in overcoming extreme adversity.
Next time you want to complain about something trivial, don't.
Remember Peng Shulin instead.

Are PTK exams the right step towards competency?

2010-03-27T15:14:00.011+08:00

Of late the government stress on life-long learning in the name of producing knowledge workers towards the goal of achieving the status of a high-income economy / country !! Many initiatives are fast put in place . Amongst which are the call for compulsory 7 days-course and competency exams for the Malaysians civil servants...bravo !!!! Also in line with the concept 1 Malaysia: People first, Performance now; roadshows are rolled out to inform the civil servants about the latest changes in the structure of the PTK exams and the government aspiration.

As to those who lamented that they are over the hill to take those competency exams (especially those who had but rather hate or have no time to read tons of management books to qualify), dont despair. Let`s us help you out in that..

Below is amongst some helplines send to us for that matter-praise you whoever you are for your brainy interpretation..

Sorry Stephen Covey that is the way old hens whose feathers that are near dropped off(old ah bengs), learn your famous 7 habits of highly effective people.

And to my fellows friends who need to go for your competency exams, cheer up and let this motivate you.

To exams, to exams you must go

Home again,home again, jiggety-go

To exams, to exams next year you must go again

Work again,work again, this the way to gain

Stephen Covey be a sweet, have more simpler versions fast

Cos to jump grades, many exams got to pass... ????

Good luck and be positive- PTK Exams are for transformation in you..!!!!

What a guts-right son...?

2010-03-18T12:06:00.008+08:00

Of late I heard of many issues concerning caring for our parents.Some have even urged the government to build more Old Folks Home to cater for the greying population while some old folks themselves say they do not mind staying in such homes as long as they do not burden their busy children. Are we Asians forgetting about our filial duties in caring for our aged parents? Or is it because we are so self-centred in coping for ourselves in this rat race that we have no place for them in our homes and heart?

As I ponder more, I came across this story told by a son of his father which I term- you did the right thing WHAT A GUTS-RIGHT SON ?? A ONE TOO FEW THAT WE HAVE. HOW I WISH I CAN HAVE you AS MY SON TOO. Please read well as it brings sad emotions to my heart.

A simple man tells how his booking an air ticket for his father, his first flight, brought emotions and made him realize that how much we all take for granted when it comes to our parents.

My parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went to the airport to see them off. In fact, my father had never traveled by air before, so I just took this opportunity to make him experience the same.

In spite of being asked to book tickets by train, I got them tickets on Flight.

The moment I handed over the tickets to him, he was surprised to see that I had booked them by air.

The excitement was very apparent on his face, waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was preparing himself on that day and we all went to the airport, right from using the trolley for his luggage, the baggage check-in and asking for window seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen.

He was thoroughly enjoying himself and I, too, was overcome with joy watching him experience all these things.

As they were about to go in for the security check-in, he walked up to me with tears in his eyes and thanked me. He became very emotional and it was not as if I had done something great but the fact that this meant a great deal to him.

When he said thanks, I told him there was no need to thank me.

But later, thinking about the entire incident, I looked back at my life.

As a child how many dreams our parents have made come true. Without understanding the financial situation, we ask for football, dresses, toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability, they have satisfied all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had to make to accommodate many of our wishes?

Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us?

Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always think that we should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of donation, we will ensure that we will have to give the child the best, theme parks, toys, etc. But we tend to forget that our parents have sacrificed a lot for our sake to see us happy, so it is our responsibility to ensure that their dreams are realized and what they failed to see when they were young, it is our responsibility to ensure that they experience all those and their life is complete.

Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I have actually answered back without patience. When my daughter asks me something, I have been very polite in answering. Now I realize how they would have felt at those moments.

Let us realize that old age is a second childhood and just as we take care of our children,the same attention and same care need to be given to our parents and elders.

Rather than my dad saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for making him wait so long for this small dream. I do realize how much he has sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give the best possible attention to all their wishes.

Just because they are old does not mean that they will have to give up everything and keep sacrificing for their grandchildren also. They have wishes, too.

Take care of your parents.

All sons and daughters out there HAVE A PURPOSEFUL LIFE for your turn will soon come like your aged parents!! Remember too, old folks home or nursing homes are for those who are sick and bed ridden in their twilight years.

Carry a Heart that Never Hates.

Carry a Smile that Never Fades.

Carry a Touch that Never Hurts..

Free medical clinics at your service-try it out

2010-02-05T14:29:00.007+08:00

Yesterday January 4 was World Cancer Day. To those with health holds no meaning to it but to those who had gone through a cancer journey ,their amazing stories of hope in despair never fail to relate to one another in love and harmony. And for those who are awaiting for that bad C-news from their medical report, it is a torturing moment.

There are many contributing causes to Cancer and so too are there many ways we can help to prevent it.The bottom line is that one needs to be informed and make right choices ,if not at least making an effort to a yearly health check up.

Below is the list of 1 Malaysia clinic at your service if you need free medical service. Do not procrastinate!!!! Take the brave step to these clinics if you need it. They are free medical facilities setup to help the masses.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=144843&id=141753398902

Here let me also share with you some Cancer news from John Hopkin University-what can cause the big bad C ?

A dioxin chemical causes cancer,especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to cells of our bodies. NO PLASTIC CONTAINERS IN MICROWAVE

We should not be heating our food in microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to food that contain fats because the combination of fat, high heat and plastics release dioxin into the food and eventually into our body cells. We should be using glass like Corning ware, pyrex or ceramic wares. Food in foam containers too should be removed from the container and be heated in something else.

NO WATER BOTTLES IN FREEZER
Don`t freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this release dioxins from the plastics.

NO PLASTIC WRAPS IN MICROWAVE
Plastic wraps such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over food to be cooked in the microwave. As food is nuked, high heat causes poisonous dioxin to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Better to cover the food with towel instead.

My dear friends, this article is also being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre as well.
Good luck and good health to all my fellow friends-remember your health is in your hands.
If any irresponsible parties are playing up racial and religious tension/ elements , please take a trip to oncology wards and be inspired by the spirit of 1 MALAYISA brewing there - see how Malaysian from all walks of life relate to one another in love , harmony and in solidarity despite difficult situation.

A WATERFALL EXPERIENCE -lessons learned from Philippines

2009-11-20T12:32:00.016+08:00

Year end school holidays are here once again.While some are burning themselves up in the SPM/STPM public examination centres, many are heading off for some form of year-end holidays with family and friends.

In Malaysia and in many parts of the world, waterfall sites are popular resorts in spite of many fatal accidents that had had happened.

Nevertheless, BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN PLAYING NEAR WATERFALLS. You just won't know whether it's raining upstream and by the time the water reaches the waterfall, it'll be too late for you to run to safety.

Let me share with you a near death experience LIVE from Philippines . Remember we do have a no. of these falls in Malaysia and similar tragedies had striked so many times despite all the warnings.

PICTURES TELL A THOUSAND WORDS

National Automotive Policy - the long awaited review !!!

2009-10-28T13:52:00.015+08:00

Under the review as announced today by Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed:-

1.Foreign firms can make luxury cars locally

FOREIGN firms will be given manufacturing licenses to hold 100 per cent equity in firms which produce luxury vehicles with an engine capacity of more than 1,800 cc and costing more than RM150,000.

Import duties of all completely-built-up (CBU) and completely-knocked-down (CKD) cars will be maintained.

Incentives and exemptions will be increased to develop local auto parts so that there would no longer be parts imports by 18 months’ time, a move which help do away with imported and used spare parts outfits.

2.AP to be scrapped by 2015

The AP system for imports of CBU vehicles will be terminated whereby open APs for used vehicles will be terminated by December 31, 2015.

"No new applications for open APs will be considered and franchise APs will be terminated by Dec 31, 2020," he said.

Besides this, a charge of RM10,000 for each open AP will be introduced as announced in the 2010 budget last week whereby under current status, APs are issued for free.

3.Mandatory testing for cars over 15 years old

Vehicles which are 15 years and above would also have to go through mandatory testing to ensure their roadworthiness but provisions would be made for vintage cars.

This review was undertaken after extensive discussions with industry players including manufacturers, assemblers, auto parts makers, non-governmental organisation as well as car associations.

4.Effective Jan 1 2010, 18 new policies and measures covering licensing, duties, incentives, technology and environment, safety and standards and APs were introduced under the NAP review.

Amongst which under the new measures, a new strategic partnership between Proton and a global established Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will be established.

Currently, Proton is in talks to establish strategic partnership with international partners.

As part of ongoing efforts to help Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the automotive industry, a Fund for Bumiputera Development will also be established to assist Bumiputera companies venturing into the automotive and other related businesses

Wtih this review in place , CAN WE DREAM OF BIG CARS AND BIG POWER NOW?

CAN WE AFFORD THEM ,HUH?

Balik kampung-mask or no mask !!!!

2009-09-18T15:34:00.024+08:00

BALIK KAMPUNG

A LITTLE PEEP HERE & THERE !!!

@ BAYAN LEPAS AIRPORT, PENANG

@ BUKIT JALIL BUS TERMINAL

@PELABUHAN KLANG ( PORT KLANG)

Once again the exodus out of the city into hometown and villages begin for another year of Raya celebration.

And once again too we see the government especially the Ministry of Transport and Traffic Police department stepping up measures to ensure safe journey home or achieving zero /minimal road accidents. New Minister may come and go with their respective brainful-strategies but sad to say all to no/minimal avail.

However this year around we are laden with another big challenge as the people pick up their bags to head home ie.- Balik kampung mask or no mask!!!!!!!!!! in the midst of A H1N1 virus rearing its head in its second wave.

I have seen people dorning surgical masks as they go about shopping in the malls, pasar , boarding buses and trains bla..bla..bla as they go about beating the raya rush in public places. I have also seen people wearing masks even when there are nobody around , probia huh!!!

The Ministry of Health has also chipped in to educate the home-bound public about
the prevention of H1N1 in the village and hometown levels. Temperature of outbound people /commuter are taken, masks and hand-sanitizer kits are handed out as some measures taken to curb further outbreak or massive local transmission.

Here I would like to share some findings about the best ways to stay out of H1N1 trouble and how they explain why the masks may do more harm than good.

The H1N1 virus is not airborne. To be considered an airborne virus, the microorganism would have to survive or remain in the air for long periods of time. The H1N1 virus does not stay airborne.

We have noticed many people wearing masks in crowded places. However, places like airports, shopping malls and schools are full of germs and bacteria.

If a small amount of bacteria gets into a hole in the mask, you will provide a breeding ground for the bacteria, which may lead to an illness or infection. The moisture you produce in your mask is perfect for bacteria and viruses, and may be a recipe for disaster.

The way to prevent exposure to H1N1 virus is to avoid physical contact with people who may be sick or infected. Also avoid commonly touched surfaces like escalator railings, poles and public toilet doorknobs.

The H1N1 virus usually spreads when someone touches surfaces with the bacteria and then touches his own nose, eyes or mouth.

Washing your hands frequently is the best defense against exposure.

And yes, the virus may travel from point A to point B in the air. But it will drop, not stay airborne.

Wearing a mask is only good at helping you not to spread your illness to others if you are infected.

Again be a social responsible being, if you are down with flu,cough and fever,

stay away from others.

Social distance yourself even if you are in the midst of the raya celebration. Wear a mask if need to be in contact with others- a must!

No SEGAN,SEGAN issue with your kampung folks . Seek treatment fast

SELAMAT HARI RAYA TO ALL MY MUSLIM LISTERNERS.
MAAF ZAHIR & BATIN.

DRIVE HOME SAFELY AND TO OTHERS HAVE A NICE AND BLESSED LONG WEEKEND.

KARAK HIGHWAY JAM

A (H1N1) Deadly swine flu pandemic-Part 2

2009-08-14T13:44:00.024+08:00

My dear listeners, I believe everybody is aware that the H1N1 fatality list in Malaysia is soaring by each day. And in our hearts we are asking is it enough just to know the numbers of dying each day? Is the government doing enough? Where is the national contingency plan ? Do we need to declare an emergency?

We know that in Malaysia the government is not imposing travel ban as it is a global pandemic and has no intention of closing schools but leave it to the wisdom of headmasters and the local health authority to decide!

And we know too , for now each individual should self-regulate themselves- practice good personal hygiene , abstain from going out if unwell, social distancing yourself from crowded / confined environmental activities, avoid travelling to infected countries if possible…and bla.bla..bla

So while waiting for a contingency plan to unveil, let us see what other countries are doing in curbing their respective pandemic and perhaps learn a thing or two from their experience how to manage it.

World lays its swine flu defences
As of 28 July 2009, here is a selection of the major efforts underway to halt its spread.

UNITED STATES: A neighbour of Mexico, where the A(H1N1) strain of swine flu was first detected, the United States had by mid-July the world’s highest number of confirmed cases — 40,617 — and 263 people had died.

Behind the confirmed cases, authorities believe the true number of flu carriers to be closer to a million. Health officials held an emergency meeting on July 29 to draw up an action plan, and orders have been placed for 10 million doses of flu vaccine for distribution by mid-October.
Vaccines, which are now being developed for the new flu strain, will be tested in August. Federal and state governments have stockpiled 61 million doses of Tamiflu and Relenza flu remedies between them.

VFF Comment: Developing new flu strain vaccines is wise and timely looking at the rate the H1N1 virus had throttled the world and mutated.

BRITAIN: The worst hit country in Europe with more than 100,000 new cases recorded last week alone, almost twice as many as the week before. 31 victims have died.

London has ordered a total of 132 doses of flu vaccine, with 60 million (enough for half the population at two doses per head) to be ready by the end of the year.

A dedicated flu telephone line and website has been set up allowing patients to be diagnosed at a distance and issued a coupon to collect flu remedies. Officials are expecting 200,000 calls per day.

VFF Comment: Diagnosing online and speedy access to flu remedies would help to reduce the congestion of infected people in the hospital and save lives fast. A good move to emulate as our fatality rate is fast at par with them now.

SPAIN: Spain is the next worst hit country in Europe, with by 1,806 confirmed cases by Monday and six deaths. No national strategy has yet been drawn up.

The government has ordered 37 million doses of vaccine for its 46 million strong population, with a plan to inoculate 40 percent of the population

VFF Comment: FYI to date , getting the anti-viral drug is still the treatment and way out as there is no vaccines available yet. Hopefully the test for those new flu strain vaccine runs well and can resolve the pandemic.

JAPAN: Japan, one of the Asian countries worst hit by swine flu, had reported 4,462 cases by Wednesday, but no one has so far died.

Tokyo has said it could repeat measures taken earlier this year, when it implemented strict airport health controls, including checks aboard landing aircraft. Suspected cases were quarantined in hotels near airports.

Some 4,800 schools and kindergartens were closed for a week.

Japan has Tamiflu and Relenza supplies for 38 million patients or about one third of its population and plans to produce 17 million doses of its own swine flu vaccine this year.

VFF Comment: Having the ability to produce own flu vaccine is a plus point in curbing the pandemic. Furthermore, hopefully such local-made vaccines are more suitable to their genetic type/setting. Turning nearby hotels into airport quarantine bay is a salute.At least the virus is contained and prevented from spreading beyond their shores.

CHINA: The world’s most populous nation has yet to see a proportionally large flu outbreak, with only 1,668 confirmed cases, but after the SARS and bird flu scares it is taking the threat seriously.

Hospitals are on a virtual war footing, with many setting up makeshift swine flu reception desks staffed by masked nurses under orders to promptly report any suspected cases to the government and isolate those affected.

China has also imposed seven-day quarantine periods on arriving foreigners who show swine flu symptoms.

Authorities in Hong Kong have reported one death certainly due to the virus in the administrative region, where 2,855 cases have been reported.
VFF Comment: China has learned its lesson well from SARS and thus is not complacent. The government take charge fully with no interfering policy from any sector.

AFRICA: Africa has not recorded as many cases of swine flu as other continents, but health experts there warn that the disease could be especially dangerous among populations with high levels of HIV/AIDS.

South Africa has 48 million people, of which nearly six million have HIV, and as of July 17 it had 119 cases of swine flu. Botswana had four and Namibia three.

VFF Comment: A Wise government to acknowledge the fact that they are the high –risk country

MIDDLE EAST: Israel reported its first death from swine flu on Monday, as did Saudi Arabia, which is set to welcome vast numbers of Muslim pilgrims in the coming months, raising the risk of the spread of the disease.

Arab health ministers have recommended that children under 12 and people over 65 be banned from the hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year to reduce the risk.

One other swine flu death has been reported in the Middle East: a woman in Egypt returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca. It was not clear where she contracted the virus.

VFF Comment: Making pilgrimage is one`s dire wish. However do remember God did not promise us freedom from trials but he promises His presence through it all.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: Germany has been relatively lightly affected for a country of its size, with 1,469 cases by July 20 and no deaths. German officials plan to buy enough vaccines to immunise the most vulnerable quarter of their population.

Poland has enough flu remedy on stock but has complained of a lack of European coordination on procuring vaccines, which many countries fear they will miss out on if rich nations corner the world’s limited production.

The Czech Republic had at least 63 swine flu cases as of Monday evening.
VFF Comment: Procurement of vaccines should not hold any discrimination between rich and poor countries because we do not play god when dealing with lifes please.

Once again the basic prevention comes form you as an individual:-

# Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

# Avoid close contact with sick people.

# Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

#Got flu symptoms? Stay home, and when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Afterward, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

A H1N1 Pandemic in Malaysia-Part 1

2009-08-11T17:40:00.011+08:00

To date, the pandemic has infected 1,983 people and killed 32 locally while the world lays its swine flu defences.

As for Malaysia, the government will launch a large-scale Awareness Campaign On H1N1.

Najib said the government would not impose any travel ban as this was a global pandemic.

He added that the anti-viral stock would be increased from the current 10 per cent of the population to 20 per cent, involving an additional allocation of RM20 million.

Meanwhile, Liow told reporters that the ministry was planning to rope in private medical practitioners to help contain the spread of the disease.

"The Health Ministry, through the hospitals and clinics, will supply the anti-viral drug more widely so that more people can get the injections to help prevent a more virulent strain of the virus," he said.

But what saddened me most in spite of all these defences been laid down , we still have cases like what is reported by The STAR on 30 July 2009

DAD: I thought it was just flu

MALACCA: Ramli Abdul Aziz thought his daughter was suffering from the common flu, especially since she had caught it from her brother who had recovered from a bout of flu.

The 45-year-old was still in grief and shock after the death of his daughter.

Still in shock: Ramli showing a picture of his daughter Nur Syazwana who died from the influenza A (H1N1) on Tuesday.

She was the country’s fourth A (H1N1) fatality.

“I thought that she had a normal flu and did not think that it would lead to her death. If I had known that her illness was this serious, maybe there would still have been a chance for her to live after treatment,” he said of Nur Syazwana Ramli, 20, who passed away on Tuesday.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/30/ah1n1flu/4418462&sec=ah1n1flu

Was this a case of negligence by the doctors for failing to detect the infection , ignorance of the public or lack of information about A H1N1 flu?

In order not to confuse ourselves with what is a common flu vs H1N1 flu, let me share some findings by Dr. Simon Chong , K.N.Chin & Associates about THE MYTH AND FACTS OF FLU

This is how that deadly H1N1 virus look like!!!

Facts about H1N1 virus !!!!

Its something we can`t take it lightly if you know the history of the past pandemics !!!

Such an easy way of transmission !!!!!

The individual way of prevention...

Can flu vaccination help?

What is the type of treatment used?

Even though there is no travel ban yet but travelers please take heed!!!!

and to the general public ...

So the basic thing is to practice good personal hygience.

But understanding the scenario is also crucial so as not to panic like what Liow said:

"The important thing is to control the situation together by maintaining personal hygiene and taking certain steps like self-quarantine, social distancing and getting immediate treatment for the symptoms."

Last week, Liow ordered all the public and private clinics and hospitals to use rapid influenza screening tests for those who displayed the symptoms as part of the additional strategies to contain the spread.

What about what other countries are doing to contain this pandemic? What can an individual do ?- See A H1N1 Pandemic Part 2

Permatang Pasir Rep Dies, Another By-election in the air ?

2009-07-31T23:36:00.006+08:00

Mohd. Hamdan Abdul Rahman

Penang state assemblyman for Permatang Pasir Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman died at the National Heart Centre (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur at 6.10am on Friday.

Mohd Hamdan, a two-term state assemblyman and former Penang PAS commissioner, was 60. He leaves behind a wife and six children.

In KOTA BARU, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the party would contest in the by-election for the Permatang Pasir state seat, which he said was a PAS stronghold.

In the general election in 2008, Mohd Hamdan beat Umno candidate Ahmad Sahar Shuib with a majority 5,433 majority to win the seat.

The Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said he expected to receive the notice on the vacancy for the seat from the Penang State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, by next Monday.

After that, the EC will hold a meeting to discuss the polling and nomination dates, he told Bernama.The Election Commission is expected to announce the nomination and polling dates for the Permatang Pasir state by-election by Aug 10.

Battling street crimes a priority for govt

2009-07-30T17:20:00.005+08:00

PUTRAJAYA: The government is making the fight against street crimes a priority and aims to reduce the incidence of such cases by 20 per cent by the end of next year.

“We stress reducing street crimes as they cause trauma and prolonged fear among the communities,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told members of the administration and civil servants at a gathering of civil service officers at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre recently.

Reducing the crime rate is the first of the six National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) Najib announced on his 100th day in office earlier this month.

Street crimes such as snatch theft and robbery made up 17 per cent of the overall crime index last year.

The hot spots are Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor which accounted for 72 per cent of such crimes in the country last year.

The prime minister said members of Rela would be given training so that they could be roped in to assist police in battling street crime.

Selected police stations and facilities will be upgraded in addition to enhancing crime prevention measures such as increasing the number of closed-circuit TV cameras.

The Home Ministry will work with the Attorney-General’s Chambers
and the Prime Minister’s Office in finding ways to speed up the legal processes on backlogged cases, including the setting up of tribunals or courts specifically to handle street crime cases.

Dear listerners from far and near, if you have any suggestion as to how we should combat this street crime, please leave your comments.

KRA to join KPI to bring improvements !!!

2009-07-14T17:20:00.007+08:00

Each ministry to identify key result areas

Najib, on the occassion of his 100 days in office, announced that his administration would focus on the six areas namely crime prevention, combating corruption, providing greater access to quality and affordable education, improving the quality of life for the poor, improving rural infrastructure and upgrading public transportation in the medium term.

The six national key result areas (KRAs) were determined from public feedback, opinion polls and media reports, said Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.It was also based on views raised by the rakyat during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Najib Tun Razak’s walkabouts and interaction with the public.

Dr Koh said the Prime Minister would announce at least one key performance indicator (KPI) for each KRA to be known as national KPIs (N-KPIs).

“For instance, in the area of crime, the KPI will among others, spell out areas the government intends to reduce, the percentage of reduction and its timeline."

“This way, the government’s plans are made very clear to the public and prove its commitment in delivering its promises,” he added.

He said Najib also wanted all ministries to identify its respective KRAs - be it issues that needed to be tackled or enhanced and services that needed improvement.

Najib said the six key areas would help his administration and civil servants achieve the objectives of having key performance indices.

“The entire agenda (since I took office) comprises – firstly, a harmonious people and a prosperous economy, secondly, human rights and media freedom and thirdly, improving the capability of civil servants and the efficiency of the government’s delivery system,” he said.

KRA to join KPI to bring improvements

These two methods would help up achieve our ultimate goals, whether it is for Malaysia to be a developed, first-world or high-income nation.

“However, its success will also depend on the strength of the administration-public service relationship and I cannot emphasise enough how important this partnership is in determining the success of government policies and programmes,” he told civil servants at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly gathering Monday.

Trust and support if we are to see results my fella friends because political bickering will lead us to nowhere.

HAPPY FATHER`S DAY

2009-06-20T23:27:00.030+08:00

FATHER OUT THERE -DO YOU THE PRICE OF HAVING CHILDREN, HUH ?
FATHERHOOD IS A JOY IF UPHOLD WITH GREAT COMMITMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY.
watch this:-
www.slideshare.net/gueste4cbf8/the-price-of-children - Cached

The Price Of Children (Please download this ppt)

View more OpenOffice presentations from Nam Talae.

SO GUYS--LOVE ,PROVIDE AND GUIDE YOUR CHILDREN.YOU ARE THEIR BEACONS OF LIFE !!!

LOVE AND ENJOY YOUR CHILDREN,GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN FOR THEY ARE YOUR BEST INVESTMENT YOU EVER MAKE.

AND YOU CHILDREN OUT THERE-HONOUR AND RESPECT THY FATHERS AND MOTHERS AND EVERYTHING WILL FALL IN AS BLESSIINGS TO YOU.

VOICESFROMFAR WISHES ALL FATHERS - A BLESSED AND HAPPY FATHER`S DAY

Of Penanti forced by-election-what`s cooking in it?

2009-05-29T16:57:00.013+08:00

Penanti by-election on May 31 will see a four-cornered fight with PKR's Mansor Othman taking on three independents.

Mansor, 59, Aminah Abdullah, 56, Nai Khan Ari, 41, and Kamarul Ramizu Idris, 42,

Penanti is a must-win seat for the party's morale because even with a victory gain will not change the equation in the state legislative assembly.

BN is staying out of the by-election, calling it an abuse of the electoral process and a political ploy. PKR have forced two other by-elections previously- the first was when Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail vacated her Permatang Pauh seat to enable her husband, Anwar, to return to Parliament.

Then came the Bukit Selambau by-election where PKR representative and Kedah state exco member V. Arumugam abandoned his seat amid allegations of bigamy.

The Penanti by-election was precipitated by the resignation of former Penang deputy chief minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin following a graft probe. He was later cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

While PKR may supposedly be guaranteed of its `base support`, party insiders are keen to see which way some 2,000 fence-sitters will go.

Penanti voters comprise of 72.6 % Malays, 24.2 % Chinese, 2.4 % Indians and 0.7 % others.

A section of the crowd attending a ceramah in Kampung Guar Jering on Wednesday night
(NST, 27.5.09).

Addressing a large and mostly Muslim audience at a football field in Guar Jering on Wednesday night, Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat repeated his famous "reward from God" campaign line: "I have said this before in Kelantan, vote and you will get pahala (rewards)," declared the revered Tok Guru.

Leaflets were distributed at the ceramah bearing messages from Nik Aziz, Hadi and Penang Pas chief Saleh Man directing Penanti Pas members to come out full force to support PKR candidate Dr Mansor Othman.

Earlier there were threats from some to boycott the by-election.

Local Pas leaders are said to be unhappy with the "forced" by-election, and had even suggested that Pas should field its own candidate.

Another storm stirring is the independent candidate Aminah Abdullah's allegations that PKR had offered inducements for her either to withdraw from the by-election or rejoin the party if she won. The so called `Kak Min` CD scandal is a growing concern for Pakatan leaders.

She has been labelled as a woman of loose character and given names like "Minah Ronggeng" (cabaret woman) in the nightly ceramah that are held in Penanti.

PKR has denied the claims, which the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating.
The question that begs to be answered is why is Pakatan bashing Aminah for the dirty deeds committed by its own leaders?

After all, PKR supreme council member Cheah Kah Peng and state executive council member Law Choo Kiang's special assistant Lim Eng Nam had admitted that they indeed did meet Aminah.

Both have admitted that the conversation took place at Aminah's house on May 13.

However, they remained evasive when asked about the allegations against them.

PKR leaders may want to `shut up` her claims, opting not to respond to them and letting their lawyers deal with the matter, but internal squabbles turning into public spats could be damaging to PKR.

The young party, plagued by a host of leadership problems at various levels, cannot afford to look "small" in the eyes of its allies Pas and DAP in the Pakatan.

Aminah Abdullah has exposed the kind of intense backstabbing and power struggle that is going on in Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and in the Penang state administration.

But more importantly, she has laid bare the hypocrisy of Pakatan leaders, in the manner they are dealing with the whole affair.

Instead of living up to their competency, accountability and transparency motto, they have resorted to scathing attacks on their former colleague.

It is also interesting to note the deafening silence from Level 28 of Komtar on this scandalous affair which has implicated a state exco member.

After all, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was among the ones to call for Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam after the latter was barred from contesting the Umno elections, to take responsibility for the actions of his agent who was cited for money politics and to resign as Malacca Chief Minister.

It was a similar scenario. So it now remains to be seen if Lim would initiate any action against his own exco member for the action of the latter's special assistant.

Its clear PKR is just a noisy party that is chasing clouds in the air only? How much more have we to buy into their `holier-than thou` attitude ? We have wasted too much time in damaging our country`s economic and political stability.

KUGAN-JANGAN SALAHKAN INSTITUSI KEPOLISAN NEGARA

2009-05-19T16:16:00.004+08:00

Kes kematian tahanan dalam lokap yang melibatkan Kugan atau nama sebenarnya Kugan Ananthan, 22 tahun masih diperkatakan hingga ke hari ini. Kes tersebut mula mendapat perhatian apabila pihak polis mengesahkan Kugan mati ketika berada dalam tahanan pada 20 Januari 2009 di Balai Polis USJ 8 (Balai Polis Taipan), Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Laporan bedah siasat pertama mengatakan bahawa tahanan mati akibat paru-paru berair, namun ianya segera disangkal oleh keluarga si mati. Ini berikutan terdapat kesan calar di beberapa bahagian tubuh mangsa yang pada mereka amat meragukan. Justeru, bedah siasat kedua diadakan.

Apa yang ingin saya ketengahkan di sini bukanlah bagi mempersoalkan siapa yang bersalah dalam hal ini kerana saya lebih suka menyerahkan hal tersebut kepada pihak yang lebih arif dan pakar dalam hal itu.

Saya sebenarnya ingin menegur perlakuan sesetengah pihak yang dilihat sengaja memperbesar-besarkan perkara tersebut. Pada pendapat saya, tidak perlulah diadakan perarakan, tunjuk perasaan di sana-sini, kain rentang berunsur cemuhan dan sebagainya - hanya merugikan wang ringgit dan mengganggu ketenteraman awam sahaja! Bukankah pihak polis telah menyatakan setiap incian perkara tersebut akan dikaji semula secara telus? Kita juga ada barisan peguam yang ‘cukup handal’ dan diiktiraf di Malaysia, biarkan sahaja perkara tersebut diuruskan oleh mereka.

Justeru, segala macam bentuk penentangan terhadap kerajaan pada hari ini perlulah dihentikan. Sekiranya terbukti benar, terdapat penyalahgunaan kuasa atau salahlaku dikesan dilakukan ke atasnya semasa proses soal-siasat dijalankan, jangan salahkan institusi kepolisan negara, salahkanlah individu yang terlibat, yang menyebabkan perkara sebegini berlaku.

Perlu diingat, Kugan merupakan salah seorang tahanan yang DIKEHENDAKI POLIS berikutan penglibatannya dalam kes-kes samun kenderaan mewah di beberapa negeri di Malaysia; dan bukannya wira yang berjuang berhabis-habisan mempertahankan negara, yang perlu didendang, dijulang dan didewa-dewa.

KUDOS BEING A MOTHER....

2009-05-08T15:03:00.010+08:00

BEING A MOTHER...is not an easy task. My dear listerners let me share this story that I picked up along the way as my tribute to all mothers out there..

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'
* * *

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
* * *

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
* * *

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
* * *

'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said,'I would like that very much..'
* * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.
* * *

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.
* * *

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I
lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.
* * *

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
* * *

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.
* * *

'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
* * *

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
* * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'
* * *

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'
* * *

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... that somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history, huh?..
* * *

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct ... that somebody never took a three-year-old shopping, I think?.
* * *

Somebody said being a mother is boring ...... phew! that somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit?.
* * *

Somebody said if you're a'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'.... nuts! that somebody must think a child comes with directions and a guarantee?.
* * *

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... really! that somebody must have never helped a fourth grader with his math.
* * *

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first ....cos that somebody doesn't have two children..
* * *

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.... duh! that
somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten
... or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.' ?
* * *

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....huh that somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in- law to a mother's heartstrings.
* * *

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....huh that
somebody never had grandchildren.
* * *

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her..... that somebody isn't a mother. NON-communicative does not work...

Because A MUM JOB NEVER ENDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tomorrow she will do it again all for the love for us.

Give praise to this MUM SONG and for those who are lucky to be still blessed with a mother, thank God for her .

To all mothers out there, Voicesfromfar wishes you

A BLESSED MOTHER`S DAY 2009

Wishing you all the best of health

DERMA ORGAN - SAYA?

2009-05-07T16:23:00.008+08:00

Semalam saya berpeluang untuk menghadiri seminar ”Pendermaan dan Pemindahan Organ” yang dianjurkan oleh Hospital Putrajaya dengan kerjasama Bahagian Pemindahan Organ Hospital Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur. Jarang sekali saya menghadiri seminar seperti ini kerana jelas ianya berbeza dengan bidang kerja yang saya ceburi sekarang. Namun, bak kata pepatah, ”Jauh Perjalanan, Luas Pemandangan” dan ”Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta” – Ajaibnya, dahulu apabila perkataan ”DERMA ORGAN’ menerjah ke fikiran saya, akan segera saya lupakan.

Sebabnya?

TAKUT, GERUN, dan MERASAKAN perkara ini tidak mempunyai kaitan dengan diri saya.

Singkatnya pemikiran saya ketika itu. Namun, seminar ini menyedarkan saya betapa kita ini hanyalah insan kerdil, menumpang di bumi Allah dan saling memerlukan antara satu sama lain – tidak kira agama dan bangsa.

Ingin saya kongsikan di sini sedikit makluman yang saya dapati daripada seminar tersebut:

1. Terdapat dua kaedah pendermaan organ iaitu Semasa Masih Hidup dan Kadevik (selepas mati). Pendermaan Kadevik selalunya melibatkan organ-organ penting badan seperti jantung, injap jantung dan paru-paru.

2. Selain jantung dan buah pinggang (yang selalu dikaitkan dengan pemindahan organ) kita juga boleh memilih samada untuk mendermakan – hati, paru-paru, injap jantung, kulit, tulang, tisu badan, pankreas, mata, kornea mata(lapisan jernih di bahagian hadapan biji mata) dan amnion (bendalir yang dikeluarkan oleh wanita mengandung, selalunya dibuang begitu sahaja selepas melahirkan anak). Jangan sempitkan pemikiran anda dengan hanya memikirkan organ-organ penting sahaja yang boleh didermakan.

Di Malaysia, kaum Cina mencatatkan bilangan penderma berdaftar tertinggi, ini
diikuti oleh kaum India dan Melayu, ada yang mengatakan dalam agama Buddha, amalan pendermaan organ ini amat digalakkan – mungkin ini ada kaitan dengan statistik ini, saya tidak pasti sejauhmana kebenarannya.

Pemindahan organ atau transplant selalunya dilakukan apabila organ seseorang itu sudah tidak mampu berfungsi lagi – misalnya buah pinggang. Apabila rawatan haemodalisis sudah tidak mampu lagi digunakan untuk ’membersihkan’ buah pinggang tersebut, maka ianya perlu diganti. Penderitaan kesakitan pesakit buah pinggang ini ditambah lagi apabila kos rawatan yang dikenakan sangat tinggi. Bayangkan RM60(saya difahamkan dikenakan oleh hospital kerajaan) sehingga RM 300(bagi hospital-hospital tertentu) perlu dibiayai oleh pesakit ini dalam satu kali rawatan. Untuk makluman, pesakit memerlukan rawatan ini 3 kali seminggu, dan sekiranya satu bulan? Anda sahaja kirakan kosnya.

Perlu diingatkan TIDAK ada sebarang pemindahan atau pendermaan organ akan dilakukan tanpa persetujuan daripada si penderma, si mati atau ahli keluarganya. Justeru, pandangan serong terhadap pendapat sebegini hendaklah dielakkan.

Dalam Islam, terdapat pelbagai pendapat mengenai pendermaan dan pemindahan organ ini bergantung kepada keadaan – HARAM, HARUS, DARURAT dan sebagainya. Untuk makluman lanjut mengenai perihal ini, anda boleh mengunjungi laman web JAKIM di : http://www.jakim.gov.my/ untuk mendapatkan penjelasan lanjut.

Perlu ditegaskan juga di sini bahawa urusan jual-beli organ manusia DIHARAMKAN di Malaysia dan juga agama Islam. Setiap anggota dan organ yang kita miliki amatlah berharga dan ianya tidak boleh dibandingkan dengan sebarang nilai, apatah lagi wang ringgit!

Anda juga tidak perlu takut untuk mendaftarkan diri sebagai PENDERMA ORGAN. Ini kerana, walaupun anda merupakan pemegang kad penderma organ (organ donor card carrier), persetujuan anda akan diminta sebelum pembedahan dilaksanakan.

Sebagai PENERIMA ORGAN (organ recipient) satu upacara mengangkat sumpah akan dilakukan sebelum organ dipindahkan kepada mereka. Merek hendaklah berjanji untuk menjalani kehidupan yang sihat, menjaga organ yang diterima sebaik mungkin – ini termasuklah mengelakkan diri daripada merokok, minum minuman keras dan sebagainya. Saya difahamkan ini bertujuan untuk menghormati dan menghargai jasa penderma yang sanggup menyerahkan organ mereka kepada individu-individu bertuah ini.

Akhir kata, suka saya ulangkan kembali baris-baris ayat yang sehingga kini terpahat di dalam ingatan saya ”Pendermaan organ merupakan satu amal kebajikan yang menjanjikan pahala yang amat besar. Ia juga merupakan satu amalan kebajikan yang terakhir yang boleh dilakukan oleh seseorang individu kepada individu yang lain sebelum meninggal dunia”.

SEKALUNG TAHNIAH JUGA DIUCAPKAN KEPADA PIHAK HOSPITAL PUTRAJAYA DAN KUALA LUMPUR DIATAS USAHA MURNI

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