Photo-litics

Happy Merdeka Day! Free From The Thief & Corrupted Stooges.

2018-08-22T17:17:00.015+08:00

905 - the watershed polls which saw the collapse of the thieving and corrupt government. An election which saw Malaysians across all races bandying together to make sure their votes count towards a new Malaysia. A new Malaysia that many would feel proud of, which is free from the racial and religious despots of the past. A breath of fresh air is what the country needs. For far too long, the nation had suffered under the thief and his bunch of corrupted clowns. Citizens have grown weary of the constant attention to race and religion, which the thief had used to instigate support for his dying party, and now that they're dead, we're free!

I've followed the political scene closely and listed down changes that have taken place and you can refer to the chronological list below for your reading pleasure and boost the stamina for more exciting things to come :-

10.5.18 - Tun M sworn in as 7th Prime Minister
11.5.18 - Tun M declares that DSAI would be released from prison early
12.5.18 - Shafie sworn in as Sabah Chief Minister
12.5.18 - The former PM and his wife were blacklisted from travelling out of the country
12.5.18 - The residence of the former PM was raided
12.5.18 - Former PM resigned as UMNO president and BN chairman
12.5.18 - Attorney General who helped protect the grand money laundering was sacked
13.5.18 - Director General of MITI quit
14.5.18 - Director General of MACC quit
14.5.18 - Brunei sultan visits Tun M
14.5.18 - Travel ban for Zunar, the political cartoonist, was lifted
14.5.18 - Sabah lifts travel ban on Pakatan leaders
15.5.18 - Apandi, Irwan, Dzulkifli and Khalid placed on travel blacklist
15.5.18 - Managing Director of TV3 quits
15.5.18 - 1MDB report declassified and circulated (the main reason for voters)
16.5.18 - Parti Bersatu approved by the Registrar of Societies
16.5.18 - DSAI is released from his political detention
16.5.18 - Arul Kanda placed on travel blacklist
16.5.18 - 17,000 political appointees in the civil service were terminated
16.5.18 - Gathering at Padang Timur to celebrate DSAI's release
19.5.18 - Bung quits FELCRA
19.5.18 - Sarah Rewcastle Brown and Justo Xavier visits PM
22.5.18 - Former PM's interrogation by MACC
22.5.18 - Robert Kuok flew in and visits Daim
22.5.18 - Jamal arrested for firearms possession
22.5.18 - Former PM withdraws suit against Tun Ling
23.5.18 - SPAD, JKKKP, Jasa, Pemandu, National Professor Council dissolved
23.5.18 - MACC raids Azeez's (Tabung Haji) home
23.5.18 - Cabinet ministers take 10% pay cut
24.5.18 - Former PM's 2nd MACC interrogation
24.5.18 - Tony Pua and Ong Kian Ming agree to help Finance Ministry for free
25.5.18 - Director General for ROS transferred to JPA
25.5.18 - Jamal escapes from hospital
25.5.18 - Musa leaves country without immigration knowledge
28.5.18 - Former PM withdraws suit against Tony Pua regarding 1MDB
28.5.18 - Irwan removed from Bank Negara BOD since 14.5.18
28.5.18 - Ban on Sarawak Report website lifted
28.5.18 - ISA quits as SPAD chairman
30.5.18 - PM announces that MRT3 and Permata will be scrapped
30.5.18 - Tabung Harapan is launched
31.5.18 - Tabung Harapan collects RM7 million
31.5.18 - Former PM resigns as Khazanah chairman
31.5.18 - Jajaran KL-Seremban toll abolished
31.5.18 - PM announces two rocks on Pulau Batu Puteh will be expanded
1.6.18 - Rafizi's court case withdrawn
1.6.18 - MyEG contract terminated
3.6.18 - Private companies sponsors World Cup broadcast for selective free viewing
4.6.18 - Apandi resigns as Tabung Haji director
5.6.18 - Tommy Thomas appointed as AG, while the previous incumbent was sacked
6.6.18 - Mohd Ibrahim resigns as BNM governor
7.6.18 - Bernas monopoly ends, Petronas CEO and director resigns
7.6.18 - Oil tax revenue announced for Terengganu
7.6.18 - CEO of TM quits
7.6.18 - Arrest warrant issued for Jho Low, Nik Faisal
11.6.18 - SSER director sacked in relation to RM12 billion gas pipeline
12.6.18 - Ismail Bakar replaces Irwan as Treasury Secretary General
13.6.18 - Malacca announces free parking on Saturdays and Sundays
14.6.18 - Chief Justice quits
7.6.18 - Former PM and family flies for 'holiday' in Langkawi
18.6.18 - Alibaba opens office at Bangsar South
19.6.18 - Amirudin Shari appointed as Selangor MB
20.6.18 - Cabinet announces Altantuya case re-opened
22.6.18 - CEO for HRDF quits
22.6.18 - Nor Samsiah appointed as BNM Governor
23.6.18 - Gerakan quits BN
27.6.18 - Counting of money stash belonging to former PM completed - RM1 billion
29.6.18 - 1MDB sacks Arul
29.6.18 - Nazir, CIMB chairman, quits
2.7.18 - Suhaimi Shafie passes away due to lymphoma
2.7.18 - Jamal is arrested in Indonesia, arrives in Malaysia on 5.7.18 to be arrested
3.7.18 - Former PM arrested 54 days after GE14, for trial on 4.7.18
3.7.18 - Isa arrested over FELDA
4.7.18 - Jho's passport cancelled
10.7.18 - Jamal fined RM400 for breaking beer bottles incident
11.7.18 - BTN suspended
11.7.18 - Tan Sri Richard Malanjun appointed as Chief Justice
14.7.18 - Mohammed Nor (ex-SC) appointed as Chairman for Tabung Haji
14.7.18 - Zukri Samat appointed as CEO for Tabung Haji
15.7.18 - Mohammed Arif appointed as Dewan Negara Speaker (ex-COA judge)
16.7.18 - 14th Parliament sitting
26.7.18 - Mohd Khalid quits Prasarana
26.7.18 - Khazanah directors resign
26.7.18 - Mohd Noordin quits as Utusan Malaysia chairman
30.7.18 - Tun M and Azmin appointed as Chairman, Director of Prasarana
30.7.18 - Report on MH370 printed and given to kins
31.7.18 - Azharuddin quits Civil Aviation Authority after MH370 report was released
1.8.18 - Ahmad Nizam appointed as new Petronas Chairman
3.8.18 - Shahrir (ex-EPF) appointed as new Khazanah MD
4.8.18 - PKR won Sri Kandis by-election
7.8.18 - Equanimity berthed at Boustead Terminal, Pulau Indah
10.8.18 - Shafee's request for gag order on 1MDB court case rejected
13.8.18 - BTN and National Service terminated
16.8.18 - Anti Fake News Act repealed (created to protect the thief)
17.8.18 - AES summonses cancelled, RM435 million would have gone to crony

That's the 100 days report. A very different aspect of the reporting post GE14 where you don't get anywhere else. I can lay claim to this list proudly. Every day was filled with excitement as we see justice striking hard on the thief and his bunch of corrupted clowns. A form of delayed justice which was made possible by you and me, in the simple act of voting. Therefore, keep in mind that every single vote is important and we hold the damocle sword over the political scene.

I'll share the progress of the Tabung Harapan fund collection :-
30.5.18 - Tabung Harapan launched 31.5.18 - RM7 million 4.6.18 - RM27 million
5.6.18 - RM37 million 6.6.18 - RM43 million 7.6.18 - RM47 million
8.6.18 - RM51 million 9.6.18 - RM54 million 2.6.18 - RM61 million
13.6.18 - RM65 million 15.6.18 - RM74 million 19.6.18 - RM88 million
21.6.18 - RM92 million 22.6.18 - RM98 million25.6.18 - RM108 million
27.6.18 - RM127 million 29.6.18 - RM130 million 3.7.18 - RM132 million
7.7.18 - RM143 million 4.7.18 - RM149 million 17.7.18 - RM153 million
23.7.18 - RM156 million 24.7.18 - RM161 million3.8.18 - RM172 million
6.8.18 - RM172 million 14.1.19 - RM202,16,775,10 (Officially closed)

Malaysia is made up of many races and it is this amalgamation of culture that attracts hoards of tourists, year on year, to this beautiful country. It's like the rojak or fruits salad as illustrated on the photo on the left. Whether peace continues to thrive in our beloved country, it's up to us. We have the power and influence to make the country better. Now that the thief and his corrupted bunch of clowns have been relegated to the dumps for many, many terms to come, we will continue to live in harmony as we're led by the government that we've helped to put in place, Pakatan Harapan.

The excitement continues after the 100 days :-
20.8.18 MEIO Hasanah terminated
23.8.18 Jakim officer Zamihan terminated
24.8.18 Dr. Muhammed Abdul Khaled appointed as Economic Adviser
24.8.18 Court order against Jho and dad
24.8.18 Admiralty Court permission to sell Equanimity
28.8.18 Ali Hamsa replaced by Ismail Bakar as Chief Secretary
20.8.18 Prasarana terminates CEO Masnizam
31.8.18 Tan Kok Wai appointed as special envoy to China
4.9.18 Hishamuddin interrogated over spy agency cash smuggling
5.9.18 LGE declared the thief left RM450 million on 30.4.18, instead of RM42 billion
8.9.18 Singapore returns RM46.9 million 1MDB money
12.9.18 Ahmad Badri appointed as Treasury Sec-Gen
13.9.18 Shafee arrested under AMLA RM9.5 million
18.9.18 Mustafa Mohamed quits UMNO
19.9.18 Anifah Amin quits
19.9.18 Thief arrested for RM2.6 billion
20.9.18 Zahid & family on travel blacklist
21.9.18 Art Harun appointed as EC Chairman
21.9.18 Fuziah appointed as Lynas Evaluation Chairman
24.9.18 Syed Ali quits UMNO
24.9.18 Nizam quits Petra Energy
24.9.18 Nazir quits CIMB
25.9.18 Azeez, Baling MP arrested by MACC
26.9.18 Hasnita Hashim appointed new MARA Chairman
26.9.18 Tony Fernandes appointed as Malaysia Stadium Corporation Chairman
27.9.18 Datuk Nor Hisham as new KL mayor
3.10.18 Witch arrested by MACC, thief questioned at CCID
13.10.18 Port Dickson by-election for DSAI
15.10.18 DSAI back as MP
25.10.18 Thief, Irwan (both for RM6.6 billion heist)
26.10.18 Negeri Sembilan retracts Datuk Seri titles from thief, witch
26.10.18 Mustapha Mohd joins Bersatu
2.11.18 Pakatan announced Budget
8.11.18 St. Kitt and Nevis revokes Jho passport
9.11.18 Mazlee quits IIUM post
14.11.18 Tengku Adnan arrested by MACC
16.11.18 Rantau seat declared vacant due to cheating
9.11.18 Thief called up for Scorpene
23.11.18 Tun declared not ratifying ICERD
26.11.18 Syukri, Bank Rakyat Chairman terminated
26.11.18 P Nalini, first female Federal Court judge and Court of Appeal
27.11.18 Perdana house open to public
30.11.18 Cameron Highlands elections nullified
30.11.18 Tabung Haji sues Azeez
1.12.18 FGV sues Isa
3.12.18 Jho charged in absentia
5.12.18 Dzulkifli summoned by MACC
6.12.18 Noripah Kamsoh appointed as Bank Rakyat Chairman
8,12,18 Anti-ICERD gathering
9.12.18 Thief arrested by MACC due to altered 1MDB report
10.12.18 Arul arrested by MACC, no bail posted
12.12.18 UMNO Sabah MPs declare independent
14.12.18 Aadrin Azly appointed as Petronas Dagangan COO
17.12.18 Nurul quits PKR vice President post
17.12.18 Malaysia sues Goldman Sachs
18.12.18 Zahid garden leave, Hasan takes over
3.1.19 Thief, Arul jointly charged for PAC 1MDB
4.1.19 Raja Azmi appointed MAHB CEO
6.1.19 Agung Kelantan abdicated
7.1.19 Yamani sworn in as Sipitang MP
11.1.19 N49 ADUN Semenyih Bakhtiar dies
15.1.19 New Sultan Pahang
18.1.19 Putrajaya sues Kelantan for orang asli land rights
19.1.19 Bangsar South reverts to Kg. Kerinchi
23.1.19 Altantuya trial starts
24.1.19 Frog Boost under 1BestariNet March
24.1.19 Pahang Sultan made Agung
28.1.19 National Anti Corruption Plan NACP
30.1.19 Hew Kuan Yau appointed CEO Malaysia China Business Council
12.2.19 SRC trial starts
14.2.19 Azmi Sharom appointed deputy EC
20.2.19 Paul Stadien, Hafarizam arrested
20.2.19 Bid to strike out Gopal thrown out
23.2.19 Congestion charge to replace tolls
27.2.19 RON95 capped at RM2.08, from RM3.20
27.2.19 Tian Chua appointed as special advisor to Works Minister
1.3.19 AG sues Shafee over video questioning transfer of cases
2.3.19 PH lost Semenyih by 1914 votes
3.3.19 Dzukelfli announced proposed hospital project to proceed in Semenyih
5.3.19 Hamid Bador made deputy IGP
3.4.19 Equanimity sold to Genting USD126 million
3.4.19 Thief's SRC trial
9.4.19 Osman Sapri, Johor MB resigned
9.4.19 Witch arrested for solar project
11.4.19 Azeez Dato retracted
13.4.19 Osman submits letter to Sultan
13.4.19 Rantau by-election, lost by 4,510 majority
14.4.19 Dr. Sahruddin, new Johor MB
15.4.19 Suhakam Chief, Razali resigns 2 weeks before tenure ends
16.4.19 Arul faces thief, 3rd day
17.4.19 MACC raids Maika thief's 4th day
29.4.19 Court dismisses action to set aside SRC case
1.5.19 Bung arrested, charged on 3.5.19
2.5.19 Tengku Maximum, new Chief Justice
4.5.19 RM2 billion returned from US
7.5.19 RM236 million from Riza film returned from US
8.5.19 Government move to seize thief's assets worth RM721 million

The drama will continue for the next 3 years and the key actions will be logged here. You can use this information for your analytical study purposes and check out PH at the end of its first term, in deciding who to vote come GE15. Hopefully the list will be helpful to you. Happy 1st Anniversary and may you continue to strive dutifully and responsibly to steer Malaysia out of its doldrum, Pakatan Harapan Government!

For those of you who are still not politically fatigued, here's more updates :-

9.5.19 Deputy Director DBKL arrested by MACC

10.5.19 Sultan Selangor suspends thief and witch Datuk title

10.5.19 Hamid Bador approves IPCMC

13.5.19 Mazlan Mansor Deputy IGP

20.5.19 Seberang Perai obtains city status

21.5.19 Shahibullah Abdullah, YAPEIM DG suspended over threats to staff to support thief

22.5.19 Pahang Sultan passes away

22.5.19 Indonesia trouble after election 21.5.19

23.5.19 Deloitte investigated for 1MDB

24.5.19 Hasanah AWOL court case, arrest warrant

27.5.19 Vell quits MIC sec-gen

1.6.19 Putrajaya sues cow-gate family

4.6.19 Latheefa new MACC chief, Syukri resigns

4.6.19 Melissa Sasidaran, Lawyer for Liberty

19.6.19 MACC issue forfeiture notice against 41

22.6.19 Hishamuddin 1st MACC interview over undelivered helicopters

25.6.19 Latheefah takes oath of office

26.6.19 Zahid add 7 cases, total 54

27.6.19 Zahid add 33 cases, total 87

4.7.19 Riza Aziz arrested by MACC

8.7.19 MACC no need purple suit

8.7.19 PH agree for 18 years old voters, auto registration

15.7.19 Apandi sues LKS RM10 million

16.7.19 211 unanimously voted 18 years voting age

22.7.19 Witch drops appeal, now declare asset

23.7.19 Thief drops SRC appeal

8.8.19 Thief's son RM37.6 million tax

8.8.19 Jawi elective subject, 3 pages only

21.8.19 Cabinet approved Gojek

27.8.19 56 days SRC trial over, Nov 11 judgement

28.8.19 1MDB case start

19.9.19 Tg. Piai MP in PM Department passed away

1.10.19 Free bus service from KK to Alam Megah announced

4.10.19 SA08 free bus service trial started

6.10.19 Malay unity gathering

7.10.19 MACC seeking RM420 million from 80 respondents

9.10.19 Utusan Malaysia shut down

11.10.19 Budget

14.10.19 T792 Subang free bus service started

21.10.19 LGE sues RPK, Nasharudin arrested by MACC

24.10.19 Hew Kuan Yeow resigned from China ambassador after comic furore

5.11.19 TBH judge Azmil charged with corruption

6.11.19 Hishamuddin RM500 million probe

6.11.19 Tian Chua free by court, can contest again

8.11.19 Najib's escort riders cancelled

11.11.19 Thief called to enter defence over RM42 million SRC International case

15.11.19 Rafizi cleared of NFC charge

16.11.19 Tg. Piai by-election, lost

18.11.19 Zahid 47 charges trial

18.11.19 Thief 1MDB trial, Arul against thief

19.11.19 Court rules that Tony Pua can sue the thief, a public officer

20.11.19 Kerismuddin charged with RM500 million land swap

26.11.19 1MDB and MOF can sue IPIC London

2.12.19 Kimanis declared vacant by court

2.12.19 Mat Sabu white paper on 10 years defence

3.12.19 Thief witness stand for SRC case

10.12.19 Rafizi announced quit politics

16.12.19 Finance Ministry RM40 million TARUC

16.12.19 Azilah announced thief ordered killing

17.12.19 Thief paid RM3.5 million cement body

2.1.20 Mazlee resigned as Education Minister

8.1.20 MACC released voice recordings

10.1.20 Mahathir acting Education Minister

14.1.20 Rawther no case against DSAI

20.1.20 Ahmad Maslan, Shahrir charged

27.1.20 Indira Gandhi sues for RM10 million

28.1.20 Tommy Thomas cleared in Adib's case

31.1.20 Tun declared return to English teaching

3.2.20 Fat momma missed first day solar trial

11.2.20 Kevin post-humous corruption award

21.2.20 AG releases 12 LTTE suspects

21.2.20 Dr. M remains after PH Council meeting

23.2.20 Rumours Dr. M meet Agong, PH collapse

24.2.20 Tun resigns but made interim PM

25.2.20 King interviews all MPs

26.2.20 DUN50 new group created

28.2.20 Tommy Thomas resigns as AG

1.3.20 Muhyddin PM

2.3.20 Melaka fell to PN

4.3.20 March 9 postponed to May 18

4.3.20 Immigration gate closed at airport CoVID-19

6.3.20 Latheefa resigns as MACC

6.3.20 Idrus Harun appointed AG

9.3.20 Azam Baki new MACC chief

10.3.20 New cabinet

10.3.20 Dr. Zulkefly heads Selangor CoVID-19

10.3.20 Tiong rejects deputy minister post

11.3.20 Tun says giving up on no-confidence vote

18.3.20 Rina shuts down Talian Kasih, got blasted and the hotline resumed

2.4.20 FAMA management terminated

3.3.20 Pengerusi Bank Rakyat, Noripah fired

6.4.20 SOCSO director resigns

12.4.20 Takiyuddin declared all MPs to GLCs

12.5.20 Kedah fell to PN

17.5.20 Mukhriz replaced by Sanusi (PAS)

18.5.20 2 hours Parliament sitting

28.5.20 M, Mukhriz, Syed Saddiq, Amiruddin Hamzah, Mazlee Malik sacked from Bersatu

1.6.20 DBKL stop issuing alcohol licenses

4.6.20 Shaharudin resign Dep. Works Minister

9.6.20 Musa Aman freed from 46 charges

6.7.20 PH council decided on DSAI as PM9

9.7.20 Azhar resign from EC effective 29.6.20

28.7.20 Najib guilty 7 SRC charges

30.7.20 Shafie dissolved to prevent frogs

6.8.20 LGE arrested 10% commission tunnel

7.8.20 LGE wife arrested with Phang Li Koon

12.8.20 Tun's new party, Pejuang

24.8.20 LGE RM6.1 billion direct negotiate

26.9.20 Sabah elections

29.9.20 Sabah new CM Hajiji

2.10.20 Sabah MP Liu Vui Keong died of CoVID-19

16.10.20 DSAI gave statement at Bukit Aman, press conference on the streets

20.10.20 Subang Jaya declared city

22.10.20 PM advised King for emergency

25.10.20 PM declared no emergency

4.12.20 Perak MB votes lost 10-48

15.12.20 Budget 2021 108-111 votes

1.1.21 PN cancel HSR RM300 million payment

5.1.21 Anuar Musa sacked as BN Sec-Gen

12.1.21 Moo declared emergency until 1.8.21

12.1.21 Nazri declared out of PN

8.2.21 Tommy accepts Najib's defamation suit

6.4.21 Najib declared bankrupt RM1.7b LHDN

9.4.21 Najib loses MP Pekan

9.4.21 PH decided DSAI as PM9 designate

7.7.21 Zahid announced UMNO pull out PN

3.8.21 Zahid announced 11 MPs quit PN

5.8.21 RM114 million returned to UMNO Najib

16.8.21 Mahiaddin resigned as PM

20.8.21 Ismail Sabri PM9

5.10.21 Melaka PN collapsed

12.10.21 DSAI opposition minister level

20.11.21 Melaka PRN

14.3.22 Johor polls, poster boy Hasni replaced with Onn Hafiz Ghazi

29.7.22 Anti Party-hopping Law

14.8.22 LCS naval ships scandal

23.8.22 Thief loses SRC case, in Kajang prison

27.8.22 UMNO gathering PWTC

1.9.22 Witch found guilty by High Court

1.9.22 Azalina resigns as PM special adviser

12.9.22 Selangor sultan strips the thief's title

19.9.22 Bung has to defend himself

GE15 cannot be delayed any longer as instability in the country caused by the walauns and incapable meter reader and turtle head is destroying the country, although it's only due in May 2023. A decision has to be made and thus, with the consent of YDP Agung :

10.10.22 Parliament dissolved

20.10.22 DSAI calon Tambun

21.10.22 Amiruddin calon PD

22.10.22 Anthony Loke calon Seremban

25.10.22 Cha Kee Chin calon Rasah

25.10.22 Kelvin Yii calon Bandar Kuching

25.10.22 Chong Chieng Jen calon Stampin

25.10.22 Alice Lau calon Lanang

25.10.22 Larry Jabul calon Serian

25.10.22 Wan Azizah calon Bandar Tun Razak

26.10.22 Oscar Ling calon Sibu

26.10.22 Tony Chiew calon Bintulu

26.10.22 Mordi Bimol calon Mas Gading

26.10.22 Tengku Zukpuri calon Lipis

26.10.22 Chiong Yoke Kong calon Cameron Highlands

26.10.22 Chow Yu Hui calon Raub

26.10.22 Young Syefura calon Bentong

26.10.22 Roderick Wong calon Sarikei

26.10.22 Syahredzan Johan calon Bangi

26.10.22 Yeo Bee Yin calon Puchong

26.10.22 Gobind Singh Deo calon Damansara

26.10.22 Ganabatirau calon Klang

28.10.22 Sheikh Omar Ayer Hitam

P054 Gerik Ahmad Tarmizi Mohd Jam

P064 Ipoh Timor Lee Chuan How

P065 Ipoh Barat M Kulasegaran

P070 Kampar Chong Zhemin

P066 Batu Gajah V Sivakumar

P068 Beruas Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham

P060 Taiping Wong Kah Woh

P076 Teluk Intan Nga Kor Ming

30.10.22

PRU15 Pakatan Harapan di Pulau Pinang:

P43 Bagan: Lim Guan Eng

P45 Bukit Mertajam: Steven Sim Chee Keong

P46 Batu Kawan: Chow Kon Yeow

P48 Bukit Bendera: Syerleena Abdul Rashid

P49 Tanjong: Lim Hui Ying

P50 Jelutong: RSN Rayer

P51 Bukit Gelugor: Ramkarpal Singh

31.10.22 Fatin Zulaikha calon Mersing

9.11.22 Selangor declare public holiday 18.11.22

10.11.22 Negeri Sembilan declare public holiday

14.11.22 Federal announced Fri Sat public holiday

19.11.22 GE15

21.11.22 Sultan summons 1400 hrs BN delays

22.11.22 Sultan summons 1400 hrs BN delays

22.11.22 BN PH Perak, Saarani MB

23.11.22 Sultan summons 1000 hrs BN PN

24.11.22 1000 hrs Council of Rulers DSAI PM

24.11.22 Unity government PH 82 BN 30 GPS 23 GRS 6

25.11.22 KTM request Anthony as Transport Minister

26.11.22 Moo will be investigated for RM600B

27.11.22 DSAI chair cost of living meeting

27.11.22 BN PH Pahang, Wan Rosdy MB

1.12.22 Cabinet ministers appointment

5.12.22 Cabinet first day, Zahfrul absent

10.12.22 Deputy Ministers sworn in

12.12.22 Escalators at KLCC fixed after 3 years

15.12.22 GLC political appointees terminated

19.12.22 First cabinet meeting, swearing in, confidence vote, Speaker Johari Bin Abdul

21.12.22 National Recovery Council shut down

22.12.22 DSAI went to Terengganu for flood aid

5.1.23 Warisan failed to bring down Hajiji as MB

8.1.23 DSAI first overseas trip Indonesia

8.1.23 Tian Chua sacked

11.1.23 Bung Mokhtar dropped as DCM

27.1.23 Khairy, Hishamuddin suspended

28.1.23 Gopal Sri Ram pass away

1.2.23 Bersatu's account frozen

1.2.23 Menu Rahmah

10.2.23 MyJPJ road tax + driving license

23.2.23 Mahiaddin charged

6.3.23 4 traitors dropped from Penang assembly

31.3.23 Rauf as new Malacca Chief Minister

3.4.23 Abolition of death penalty

5.4.23 Hamzah's son charged for cooking oil

5.4.23 RM500 k/year Annuar for KL Tower

5.4.23 Azeez appointed KEDA

10.4.23 Azeez to be reviewed

10.4.23 Abolish theory for PSV, GDL license

8.5.23 Driving license renewal 10 years

8.5.23 Mahiaddin charged

16.5.23 DSAI agreed to kutty's RM150 million sue

26.5.23 Cow's bribe RM232 million, receive money RM165 million case starts

5.6.23 Tan Sri LKS Agung Birthday

5.6.23 Malaysia win case against Sulu

8.6.23 Councillor suggested submit resume for Councillor post

15.6.23 Hamzah's home raided by MACC

1.7.23 Zahid's double eye lid after holiday

5.7.23 State elections date announced

6.7.23 Penang ferry to start next month

17.7.23 Workshops to display technical cert

18.7.23 Sanusi arrested, insult sultan

23.7.23 Salahuddin Ayob pass away

24.7.23 DAP PRN candidates for Selangor. Raidu for Banting

25.7.23 Meet Preakash DUN50 candidate

29.7.23 Nomination Day

7.8.23 Penang new ferry started

12.8.23 PRN15

4.9.23 Zahid DNAA for 47 Yayasan case

6.9.23 New AG start duty

9.9.23 Parlimen Sg. Pulai DUN Sg. Jeram PRN - PH won

10.9.23 5 factories keeping rice stock

12.9.23 Muda left to opposition

12.10.23 Kuala Kangsar support PMX

14.10.23 ADUN office launched

25.10.23 Wan Saiful slapped with 18 charges of money laundering, after DNAA to previous charges

26.10.23 All Klang Valley KTMB stations will accept credit & debit cards, TnG & QR code from mid-Nov

26.10.23 Sultan Abdullah will be next king, Conference of Rulers meeting decision

30.10.23 Labuan support PMX

8.11.23 Gua Musang support PMX

9.11.23 MP Jeli support PMX

9.11.23 Syed Saddiq guilty of money laundering

23.11.23 Appeals Court rules ok for vernacular schools

2.12.23 PAS wins Kemaman by-election

5.12.23 Papagomo arrested

21.12.23 Ilham Centre Daim seized

22.12.23 Tower Restaurant stopped, June 2021 notice

29.12.23 News of saka's Tun-ship removal

2.1.24 PADU launched

1.2.24 Renew driving license on MyJPJ

8.1.24 Papagomo to reply charges under MCMC

9.1.24 Edmund asked to be secretary

12.1.24 ADUN QR Code complains portal

17.1.24 ADUN ad looking for volunteers

17.1.24 Yoges Jabatan Penerangan offer

18.1.24 MACC for Mirzan

23.1.24 Daim's wife in court, Intipati sidang media YAB PM Anwar Ibrahim

29.1.24 Daim charged in court

29.1.24 Edmund turned down offer of secretary

30.1.24 King Abdullah step down, fake news of Najib's pardon

31.1.24 Sultan Ibrahim new King

1.2.24 Councillor zones determined & published

1.2.24 AJK MPP Zon 12 2024 - 2026

2.2.24 Najib reduced jail to 2028 released

2.2.24 3 groups of DUN50 Whatsapp, old DUN50 closed

1.3.24 2% SST increase to 8%

5.3.24 Driving test by camera, no need RTD

21.3.24 Lee Kee Hiong KKB pass away

20.4.24 Papagomo, Salim, Ratu questioned by police

11.4.24 PH win KKB by-election Pang Sock Tao

12.5.24 Bersatu

1.6.24 Diesel RM3.35

17.6.24 Eggs reduce 3 cents

24.6.24 https://www.nst.my/news/nation/2024/06/1067569/shape-future-moe-seeks-public-input-new-education-plan

29.6.24 Digital 999 in 2025

2.7.24 Something from MOT

3.7.24 Najib's affidavit for house arrest cancelled

4.7.24 Cirit gets passport to go to UK

4.7.24 RUU Akta Audit 1957 wider powers

18.7.24 Wan Fayshal suspended 6 months

27.7.24 Datuk Seri Utama Lim Kit Siang Tan Sri

28.7.24 Chegubard arrested accuse TLDM

2.8.24 B2 to B license on 1.10.24 RM160

17.8.24 BN won Nenggiri by-election

27.8.24 Mahiaddin charged for sedition

5.8.24 Screw pumps Sri Muda launched

10.9.24 RPK died

15.9.24 Rafizi sue Wan Fayshal

20.9.24 Steven Sim takeover Chow Kon Yeow

29.9.24 Syed Hussain BN wins Mahkota Johor seat

30.9.24 Akta 852 Kawalan Rokok

9.12.24 LGE sue Mahiaddin for bankruptcy RM1.4m

17.12.24 Musa Aman appointed Sabah Governor

6.1.25 Thief wins Appeals Court on Addendum by letter from Pahang Sultan Comptroller

23.1.25 Siti Mastura pays RM830,000 fine

24.1.25 Din Tompok paid RM1 million to LGE

3.2.25 Chegubard apologise to MBI over Selangor Maritime Gateway

26.2.25 RUU Majlis Media

3.3.25 Sabri is suspect in RM170 million case

4.3.25 Peter Anthony found guilty falsifying documents at UMS

16.3.25 DAP 18th CEC

20.3.25 Parliamentary Services Bill 2025

24.3.25 Thief denied objection to AGC's leave bid to appeal against house arrest order

14.4.25 China President Xi Jinping visit 17.4.25

14.4.25 Ahmad Badawi passed away at age 85

16.4.25 DUN Perak gantung Razman 6 bulan

26.4.25 BN won Ayer Kuning PRK

28.4.25 AG won appeal against Royal Addendum

14.5.25 Ramasamy for temple deity corruption

14.5.25 50% AWAS for road safety budget

23.5.25 Rafizi lost Deputy President post to Nurul Izzah

28.5.25 Rafizi resigned as Economy Minister

10.6.25 PMX granted stay by COA on Rawther

11.6.25 Thief failed to drop SRC case

11.6.25 Preakas interview

13.6.25 Speed limiters for lorries buses to start 1.10.25

30.6.25 Tengku Maimum last day as Chief Justice

2.7.25 Thief failed to prove royal addendum exists

3.7.25 Tan Sri Hasnah acting Chief Justice

8.7.25 25% tax starting 1.8.25

Jul25 New electricity tariff, reduced bill

14.7.25 Lawyers gathering at Putrajaya

18.7.25 Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid new Chief Justice

21.7.25 PMX set aside Rawther's case, stay application, referral application to Federal Court to determine 8 constitutional questions

22.7.25 Pulau Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca) case against saka dropped due to old age but still guilty

23.7.25 PMX announced RM1.99 RON95 in Sep, RM100

26.7.25 Turun Anwar gathering by PAS at Padang Merdeka

30.7.25 Penang LRT start, to be completed in 2030

31.7.25 RMK13

1.8.25 Tariff reduced to 19% from 25%

1.8.25 Minimum salary RM1,700

The Angkara (A) list :-

Parlimen

Azmin Ali (PKR Gombak)

Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR Ampang)

Saifudin Abdullah (Indera Makhota)

Kamaruddin Jaffar (Bandar Tun Razak)

Mansor Othman (PKR Nibong Tebal)

Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat)

Santhara Kumar (Segamat)

Ali Biju (Seratok)

Willie Mongin (Puncak Borneo)

Jonathan Yasin (Ranau)

Jugah Muyang (PKR Lubok Antu, Sarawak)

ADUN

Hilman Idham (Gombak Setia)

Muhammad Jailani Khamis (Rembia, Melaka)

Chong Fat Full (Pemanis, Johor)

Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu, Melaka)

Paul Yong Choo Kiong (Tronoh, Perak)

Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim (Titi Serong, Perak)

Sivasubramaniam (Buntong, Perak)

Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam, Penang)

Zoklifly Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang, Penang)

10 MP DIKETUAI HISHAMMUDIN PUNCA NEGARA HURU-HARA

Senarai 10 Ahli Parlimen

1. Sembrong Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein

2. Ayer Hitam Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong

3. Tanjung Piai Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng

4. Tapah Datuk Seri M. Saravanan

5. Simpang Renggam Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad

6. Jelebu Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias

7. Lipis Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad

8. Kuala Pilah

Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan

9. Tampin Datuk Esam Mohd Isa

10. Pensiangan Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup

Mereka ini yang khianat BN keluar SD sokong Mahiaddin sebagai PM. Sebab itu Mahiaddin dakwa ada 115 SD.

Akhirnya setelah didesak Dewan Tertinggi BN maka 10 pengkhianat ini buat SD baharu tarik sokongan kepada Mahiaddin.

GE14 - New Paradigm Kicks In, Thieves Get Kicked Out

2018-05-20T17:31:00.001+08:00

Campaign here, campaign there. Ceramahs scattered all over the country, with key Pakatan Harapan (coalition of DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Amanah and Parti Pribumi Bersatu) leaders sticking steadfastly to a hectic schedule against time (11 days campaigning period) to convince fence sitters to vote for the Coalition of Hope. Hardcore supporters like me, need no more convincing. On 9th May, 2018, it was a day of reckoning. The morning broke with an expectation of Change!

I was in the queue at my voting station at 0720 hrs. At 0740 hrs, we were allowed to enter the school compound as the queue got longer. Nobody stopped to check their voting details at the SPR booth, a sure sign that they're fully equipped to vote and their votes are most certainly going to Pakatan Harapan (after all the publicity and calls for support over the social media, where the once opposition reigns supreme, where mainstream media works against them). Polls started at 0800 hrs and I duly performed my patriotic duty by 0830 hrs.

I had spent the last few days campaigning in my own way, trying to create awareness and hopefully, convince fence sitters (they're awfully quiet and don't give away their thoughts on who they'll vote so easily) to vote for Pakatan Harapan. Social media was the instrument of choice as mainstream media was in the monopoly of the corrupt, the very people that the rakyat hoped to overturn. My Whatsapp groups were buzzing with activity every other minute. Detailed information and co-ordination were also shared on Facebook. Every mis-information was corrected on-line as the corrupt sought to disrupt the rakyat's focus on over-throwing them. This t-shirt would remain as a souvenir of GE14, a sweet one indeed.

In addition to being a voter, I had also volunteered as a PACA (Polling Agent, Counting Agent). Our purpose was to ensure that the electoral process was executed in an honest manner. Invoke, an NGO created by Rafizi Ramli, had 40,949 volunteers registered since 9.5.17. Out of this, 25,915 were PACA. Being a first time PACA, it was an educational experience as I learnt about voter's rights in more detail.

Invoke had spent 7,861 hours carrying out PACA training; 7,689 hours of phone-bank (to convince fence sitters) and 4,856 hours of door-to-door campaigning. RM10.2 million of donation was collected since 2.11.16, where RM7.3 million was obtained through crowd-funding, RM1.9 million through ticket sales for charity events and RM1.0 million by sale of t-shirts and books. Throw in RM1.0 million by Rafizi himself, a total of RM11.2 million was spent on getting the votes required to overthrow the corrupted regime. PACAs were equipped with their kits (by the respective DUNs, refer to pic on the right) which contained toilet paper (to prevent fingers dabbed with indelible ink from staining the ballot paper), drinking water, pen, bread (we had 4 hour shifts), sarong + t-shirt (just in case voters in shorts and sleeveless blouses were barred entry). We cannot lose even a single vote!

It was said that if the SPR didn't declare the voting results by 2100 hrs, it was a good sign that Pakatan Harapan had won. And true enough, voters and citizens suffered a lack of sleep as they waited for the news of the win at 0440 hrs the next morning (10.5.18) SPR suffered a backlash because of this (intentional delay in the hope that winners could be bought over so that Barisan Nasional can retain the country's leadership) but this will be dealt with in time to come. Shouts of joy reverberated throughout the country as the corrupted bunch of thieves had lost in GE14. Even though I slept at 0200 hrs and woke up at 0300 hrs and 0400 hrs to check on the results, I didn't feel lethargic in the morning as I, as many other Malaysians, were energised by the mammoth win in securing 122 out of 222 Parliamentary seats! A 60 years old party of Barisan Nasional was finally toppled!

Citizens gripped their armchairs as the swearing in ceremony scheduled at 0930 hrs didn't take place. It was later announced that the swearing in would take place at 1700 hrs, then postpone to 1900 hrs. The trepidation and the feeling of insecurity followed right up till 2150 hrs the same night, when the new Prime Minister was sworn in. Tun M, in his resplendent baju Melayu outfit, looked smart and fatigue-less as a 92 years old citizen (his birthday is on 10.7.18, if you'd like to celebrate with him and I'm sure Pakatan Harapan supporters will celebrate in unity). The next morning (11.5.18), Tun began work almost immediately and announced a string of actions (including blacklisting the leader of the corrupt from leaving the country) as the nation rested on 10th and 11th May, 2018 (public holidays as announced by Tun if Pakatan Harapan were to take over the federal leadership). There were actions announced almost every day and I had to create a list just to catch up. On Monday (21.5.18), the new initial list of Cabinet ministers would be announced, which is made up of 25 members. The important portfolios will be filled up so that the Cabinet can hit the ground running and administer the country the way the Pakatan Harapan supporters have envisioned.

This would be a country where we Malaysians will stand proud to be able to finally call ourselves as real Malaysians, where we joined hands to kick the thief and his team of crooks out of the nation's history, when we stand together not separated by our different races and faiths as we bring the country to greater heights (and paying off the nation's mammoth debts created by the corrupt as they stole to live off the taxpayers, in an extremely lavish manner). I'm proud to have taken part in changing the nation's course, a direction towards healing and betterment. I now have a story to tell.

GE14 - Stronger indelible ink which lasts till today (11 days and still counting). Home remedies were shared on removing the indelible ink mark - soaking the finger in Clorox, using pineapple to scrub it, etc). However, I'll let it remain, as a reminder of how Malaysians stood up to the corrupt and arrogant marauders.

Ubah! - Bringing The Country Towards A Paradigm Shift!

2018-04-29T15:02:00.000+08:00

Expose this, expose that. Revelations here and there. Persecute him and her. It's been going on for the last 5 years and that's certainly a long time in politics. The issues and hopes will finally culminate on 9th May, 2018. That's when Malaysians will cast their votes based on the controversies raised since GE13. That's also a day where Malaysians put their hopes and vision when they mark their respective ballot papers. Change didn't happen in GE13 and if you remember the crowds of support (the photo on the right might jolt you back to the few days before GE13) and many were disappointed that Change! wasn't complete but we were almost there. We have a current government who has minority support, put in place by gerrymandering.

And so, the effort towards a complete takeover of the federal government continues. The cost of living and the consequent suffering had increased since 2013 as the corrupt conveniently forgets their promises to help it's citizens lead a comfortable life. Promises which gave hope to a minority of voters who were taken in with their sweet words (and gifts). Alas, the promises were not realised but the corrupt continued their plunder of the country's wealth to ensure their life of luxury and extravagance despite the rakyat's suffering.

Fast forward to 28th April, 2018 - the nation once again congregates to nominate their candidates of Hope, who they believe can help to reduce their sufferings and bring back the country's pride back into their little and fragile hearts. Malays, Chinese, Indians and aborigines will all congregate as Malaysians to carry out their patriotic duty as they await the opportune moment to cast their votes on 5th of May, 2018. A Wednesday, in the middle of the week. The corrupt throws the spanner into the works of voters who desire Change! They can only hope to reduce the losses as Malaysians work together in their fight to replace the current government.

With 222 parliamentary seats and 505 states seats at stake, it's important to know who will represent you in the respective dewans. Let's put our votes for Mohamad Sabu in P111 Kota Raja. You can check out the list of candidates here. It's vital that you follow the news carefully and be intimate with the issues raised and the manifestos promised. Being an ex-ISA detainee, one can be assured that Mohamad Sabu has the interests of the rakyat at heart. The suffering and mental torture that a detainee goes through is not for the faint hearted and certainly not for you and me. The only thing that we can do to show our appreciation to them is, just an 'X' mark on the ballot paper for PKR on the ballot paper for Parliament.

2,333 candidates vying for both parliament and states seats - now, that's not a figure to be sniffed at. Every parliament candidate has to put in a deposit of RM10,000 while those vying for state seats will have to cough up RM5,000; both of which will be returned if they win. The opposition works on public donations and part of the money will go towards the deposit while the rest will be used to fund the various ceramahs across the country. Ceramahs too, are not for the faint hearted, demanding a tortuous 0800 - 0200 hrs schedule daily. Shouting their voices hoarse, they seek to remind the rakyat of the issues that plague the country and also to convince the pessimists of the hope for Ubah! For all his efforts, let's put our votes in for N50 -Ganabathirau Veraman.

Not forgetting N49 - Haji Mat Shuhaimi Bin Haji Shafie who had been looking after the Sri Muda constituency before the redelineation process which saw him leaving Sri Muda in the good hands of Ganabathirau in the new constituency of N50 which covers Kota Kemuning, to serve N49 - Sri Kandis. A new challenge will await him as he works hard to convince the Malays for their votes in an area dominated by the dark blue colour folks. YB Shuhaimi had been instrumental in giving the Chinese a new primary school aka SJK (C) Khe Beng, a spacious area for its students compared to the cramped conditions of the old school, which had been existence over 80 years. A Chinese school where Indians and Malays share.

Pakatan Harapan, an amalgamation of DAP, PKR, PPBM and Amanah. The party had grown tremendously in support and the recent actions of the government in persecuting the opposition through the abuse of the legal and justice system processes, only served to strengthen the will of the rakyat to rise against the corrupt and spendthrift. We're paying taxes to help them pay off debts, which aren't ours to bear logically. Pakatan Harapan represents the various races and a wide range of education and financial standing.

In 11 days' time, we will all go to the respective voting stations to cast our votes. Check out your voting station details here. Every vote counts towards freeing the country from it's current leaders who only have their self interests to fulfill. They will continue to rob the rakyat of the country's wealth and burden the rakyat with unnecessary taxes, so that you can help them pay off their debts while they live a luxury and extravagance at our cost. This is certainly not the life that we, the rakyat, envisaged when our parents brought us into this world.

Vote for Pakatan Harapan for a better future and

Save the country from the corrupt!

Add caption

Ubah! Our Fight Against The Regime of Corrupt and Abuse.

2018-04-14T09:21:00.001+08:00

Read here, read there, disagree here and there, agree there and here, jokes and cynicism everywhere on social media. The polls is finally here and the whole country is back alive on hyper level, as the nation's politics and political situation are shared and discussed heavily. It's a bare fact who's the one carrying weight and who's the underdog as the nation's entire machinery is used against the opposition and the corrupt continues to abuse taxpayer's property in their political campaigns. We have no choice in this as it's their time in government and surely, the entire machinery will be ours to had, if we succeed in Ubah!

In the fight against the extreme corruption, we've had to call upon a former leader, in his twilight years, to help us to Ubah! On the opposite of the fence now, the man known by various monickers like Maha Kutty, Maha Firaun, etc certainly still has immense influence on national politics. After the decade of hibernation since retiring, he's suddenly back in action at 93 years old of age. And spring into action he did, with his hectic schedule at ceramahs around the country. That too, with his lovely and charming wife in tow. A lovely couple who's growing into old age gracefully and loved by all. Behind the successful man, is the patient and wise wife, or so they say.

Are you going to take a decision to lead your future or are you going to leave it in the hands of the corrupt? After one decade of mismanagement and abuse, you'd have recorded in memory the list of actions contrary to the nation's progress. Public funds have been abused to cover the wastages, which is used by the corrupted leaders to lead an extravagant lifestyle at taxpayers' cost. Don't you feel frustrated at having to pay GST while they strut around the world in private jets for their shopping spree? Representatives of justice have been murdered and dumped into cemented drums in their violent attempt to cover-up.Will you make it your agenda to effect Ubah!? Will you be responsible?

In the national agenda to effect Ubah!, are you even a registered voter? For those who have procastinated in voter registration, do you even feel a tinge of guilt as you're left behind? This is despite reminders from the good folks to register early lest the corrupt decides that you aren't able to cast your valuable vote against the corrupted system. If you have registered, check your status here. Every vote counts and it's vital to challenge the system in every legal way we can. We're fighting the entire corrupted machinery and it'll take a lot of effort and time to plan our moves.

Even as the corrupt attempts to stiffle the rakyat's attempt in their haste for Ubah!, the opposition parties have come together despite their differences and unite under one political umbrella - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), To avoid the confusion, messages have been going around to vote for the blue and red symbol with the nostalgic (bruised) eye. Simple even for the simplistic kampung folks who may be illiterate. Simple even for the newbies to the voting process. All you have to do to support the Ubah! movement is to mark a CROSS in the box next the PKR symbol on the ballot paper. Once you've done that, you've carried out your patriotic duty.

And that brings us to the issue of returning back to our respective voting areas to cast our vote. 9th of May had been declared, in their corrupted bid to scuttle our momentum towards Ubah! A weekday voting on a Wednesday is just the right formula to discourage voters turnout. But are we to let it go just like that? The vast majority of Malaysians in Singapore have made it a point to return to exercise their voting rights. Many kind people, both individuals and organisations have contributed towards either providing direct transport or organising funds collection to get the voters home. And currently trending is the #pulangmengundi effort.

Much has been shared in the corrupt's propaganda against the efforts of the opposition to effect Ubah! From the mainstream media tools such as papers and television, their editors and broadcasting directors have been going hyper-active in the mud throwing campaigns. However, the reach is only to the village folks who may still be undecided and easily coaxed (but there's wind of their will against the corrupt growing in the expanding tide of Ubah!) and is therefore, a total waste of taxpayers' money. It's a Whatsapp and FB elections, going by the messages shared. Paid corrupted bloggers are a waste of taxpayers' funds!

Taking Selangor and Penang as examples, you can appreciate the good that Ubah! brought. Except Perak which was felled illegally (due to debt of business opportunity), the two states showed significantly larger funds saved from corrupt practices and the money is put to good use to develop the people and the community. It's a Bangsa Malaysia movement and we stand together towards meritocracy, shared development and progress for the country.

It's your patriotic duty to cast your vote and may we together, Ubah!

Danang And Hoi An - UNESCO Heritage Town & The Hills

2016-04-08T23:09:00.001+08:00

Travel here, travel there. See this, see that. Life is a wonderful experience which gives us an opportunity to celebrate it. Life is not boring but it depends on what you make of it. Life can be as exciting as you want it to be or as boring as dull as you're able to imagine it to be.

My travels bring me to Vietnam this time round. As we touched down at the airport, we took a cab straight to Hoi An where we put up for two night. During travels, I normally keep my mind blank, devoid of any expectations and would leave it to the location to satisfy my curiosity. As it is with every place that we visit, it never fails to make us leave with a tinge of sadness as we fly away into the skies.

Now, back to Hoi An.The cab took all about 45 minutes from Danang International Airport to Hoi An. No taxi touts to harass us but a commercially registered Toyota took us through Danang town to the stretch of seaside before coming to a rest at Thanh Van hotel (http://www.thanhvanhotelhoian.com/) which was recommended by a fellow traveller. A rustic building with air conditioning a pool in the middle of it. What did I tell you about visiting a place with a blank mind? This hotel already wowed me to bits!

After checking in and looking over the room, it's time for local food! What do you do in Vietnam? Get their pho, baguette and coffee, of course! And so, with our biological compass, off we went for a walk to check out the town. Old as it is, there's nary a plastic bag on the streets nor grafitti on the walls of buildings. It's a UNESCO heritage old town, befitting it's recognition. We plonked ourselves at one comfortable looking cafe and called for our pho and coffee. After 10 minutes, we were working our way through the meal that defined Vietnam. A meal of flat noodles with plenty of basil leaves and bean sprouts to go with it, not to miss the chillie padi accompaniment. Ah, this is Life.

With our stomachs filled, let's take a walk through the old town. And did I mention that it's 21 degrees here? It's a welcome relief after experiencing the 36 degrees back home. The whole town is on air conditioning! When it comes to purchasing, divide their dong with 5,000 to get it's equivalent in ringgit. After a while, you'll get used to it. And there's plenty of purchases to be made if you're not in control of yourself! Lots of handicraft to fill your imagination. However, be mindful how much you can bring on board the airplane.

The entire town is filled with tourists satisfying their curiosity of this little heritage town. Locals occupy the streets selling their stuff and wares, while shutterbugs click away and supported by the super fast, local free Wifi service to help upload photos pronto. It's a very good strategy and investment by the local council, to help themselves publicise to the world and promoting the heritage town in a big way. With more tweets and postings in Facebook, the world's attention will be drawn to it by the tourists who flock this quaint, peaceful town.

One thing's for sure. There's plenty of food around to satisfy your gastronomic curiosity. If you're not fussy about hygiene, you'll enjoy the local food more by squatting with the locals to enjoy the food in this paradise. If you're not conversant in their local language, it wont be a hindrance to partake in the food and culture. Just point your fingers to what you want, and the calculator will be used to display the price. Always bargain to half the price displayed. That's what I've learned when buying things within the Asia Pacific region. Unlike Malaysians who sulk if you don't make the purchase after the bargain, they will still offer a smile. Who'll not return, one may ask.

When we arrived, it just so happened that there was a Food Festival organised for the night. No need for such a grand welcome, we told ourselves. Ho ho ho The event only lasted the night and that too, while we there. How lucky we were! With all the fanfare and games, the atmosphere was electic. Laughter and merriment was the other of the night. The popular game was hitting a earthern pot hung in front of you while blindfolded. It looked easy but it's certainly not. The spectators certainly enjoyed laughing their hearts out, at the antics of the participants.

If you're planning to visit this town, take note that fees are collected to help maintain the place. So, do support them and it doesn't cost much. For a minimal fee, the entire town is offered clean and neat. The thing about little heritage towns is their abundance of boutique cafes, for you to enjoy their local cuisine. As you bask in awe at their creative designs to prick the interests of potential clients, take more photos if you'd rather keep yourselves out of these cafes. No worries about theft but it's good to be careful. But don't your worry hinder your enjoyment of the place.

Once you've had enough of the town, head down to the beach which is just about 5 km away. An Bang beach, facing the South China Sea offered waves for your enjoyment, blowing off sand dust and mist with their strength. Although the beach was out of bounds for swimmers, tourists threw caution to the wind and jumped in. It was evening and winds were too cold for me to follow them into the waters. Therefore, I just stood there watching hoards of tourists getting themselves wet. For them, the free showers are available on the shore.

After two nights in this heritage town, off we went to Danang city and stayed the night at Sanouva Hotel (http://www.sanouvadanang.com/) with complimentary 30 mins massage,to enjoy the hills of Ba Na (http://www.banahills.com.vn/). Who would've thought there was a cable car ride to the hill top resort? Well, it's just a 30 minutes cab ride to the location and the cab'll wait for your return. You need to inform the driver about this, if you don't want to waste time waiting for other cabs to fetch you back to town. The view during the cable car ride was awesomely beautiful, stretching across tree tops over the 15 minutes ride, past clouds of mist. There's free Wifi at the top although there's no chance to send anything over the internet as the bandwidth is overcrowded.

This is one ride that's not available in Malaysia. It's like some kind of luge on rails, with you seated in the car, manipulating the brakes as you zip down the hill. I would release the brake all the way, if I were you, to enhance the excitement! Yes, it was fun and a unique experience indeed. There's cameras shooting you and a printed 8R sized print out costs only RM20. It's much cheaper than what we'd pay in our own theme parks. And who would not buy the photos if it was so cheap and affordable. It's a good strategy. Otherwise, they'd have to try really hard to convince visitors to buy and that's a waste of time and energy. A good strategy. With the printed photo fixed inside a cardboard frame, it'll be a collection of our memorable time on this hill.

The other local produce would be the marble carvings of statuettes, depicting the demons and angels of religious folklore. The temple at the hilltop reminds one of the Shaolin temples in China and the monks look like they're going to use their kungfu moves on you anytime. We came across one helper who guided us through the cave behind the temple while mumbling to himself. I was very worried for us because he behave like a psycho with his mumbles in the local language. Ho ho ho But it turned out well as we exited the various caves that housed Buddha statues. I was actually glad and relieved that the tour was over! Perhaps I shouldn't have over used my imagination but it's better to be careful, right?

Back to ground level, it's time to look for food again and here's another dish to satisfy our hunger. Noodles in small portions allows us to savour more of the local food varieties, so that's a good thing. However, the cost of meals isn't exactly cheap at RM6 for a bowl of noodles. At the local market, just point to the picture since the capability to read the local language is next to nothing. And that'll do, for the seller understands that perfectly well.

The flight and accomodation cost us RM2,000 for the flight was booked a year prior. Spending on land costs another RM2,000 for the entire family. It's an affordable holiday and it's good to see the world, so that we can appreciate what we have or not. Vietnam is a good place for a holiday besides Thailand. Take a break once a while and travel to a place you've never been before. Till the next travel, take an interest in the world!

Life's Pandemonium

2014-06-14T16:55:00.001+08:00

Argue here, argue there. Fight here, fight there. Disagree here, disagree there. In Life, there'll be many opportunities for disagreements and hopefully, some will turn out to be agreements. Humans are a social lot and the need to communicate and express one's thoughts plays a big role in society. Likewise, blogs are one of the means of communication.

Life and strife borders strongly on two areas : politics and religion. Some may opine that religion is a bit like politics, where it's a matter of collecting people from the same group of thoughts. Money and might makes these two areas in humans' lives attractive. Is there anything free in this world?

In politics, there's elections and the contest to determine who's mightier and garners more support. Though money can be used to buy votes and promises of development can be dangled in front of the donkey, the voters are still 'free' to vote their favourite political party. However, violence shouldn't be part of it. But are the authorities strong-willed enough not to take sides? Well, in the events over the recent weeks, they have disappointed many of us and proven to be selective in persecuting the guilty, and they have chosen sides.

In religion, where it's ideology espouses peace and harmony, recent cases have cast doubts on whether religion does what it's supposed to do - spread peace and harmony? Bodies have been snatched and weddings disrupted, only to see the victims suffer in agony over their lost ones and the ceremonial hosts embarassed. Are these crimes against society to be allowed to propogate and permeate every level of society?

Freedom of speech and actions form the basis of our constitutional rights. However, the constitution itself is being challenged by the ultras and the justice system seems powerless to act against the vile actions of these select group of people in authority. Or will they summon enough courage to set in place, a true system of justice where the judgements will be respected? The perception has to be corrected and may they succeed in doing so. Failing which the people will take to the street law, in getting what they want.

Freedom of religion is an ideal philosophy and the faithful should steadfastly remain true to this claim. Freedom means that one has a choice of embracing and leaving the religion should one cease to believe. Freedom should not be institutionalised into a law that prevents one from leaving the religion. This freedom is part of a human's rights and should be respected, if the masses are to be convinced.

Religion, is a set of beliefs, similar to politics, except that there's an ethereal entity involved. The mystery surrounding religion dates back many eons, setting in place many discoveries that beguils the current minds. Having said that, it remains that words are written by mankind. In politics, it's also about a set of beliefs that sets the party in motion. And the words are also written by mankind.

Do we need religion and politics in this world? Well, it certainly adds colour to our lives. From the basic of the main religions and political thoughts, it has led to the iteration of beliefs into many others and causing many more splits in society as they group under the umbrella of religion and politics of their choice. That being said, if the division causes strife - then it should be prevented from disrupting our lives. We need a voice of Sense. We need to live in Peace. We need to work in Harmony.

The Coagulated Political Community

2013-05-07T22:32:00.001+08:00

Condemn this, condemn that. Criticise here, criticise there. Profanities flying everywhere as supporters of the political community try their best to outdo themselves, trying to make

themselves stand out and hopefully, their respective parties will get some votes from the citizens. Quite a few have even earned themselves the title of racists as they tried too hard to 'defend' their community, not realising that the country is made up of many races who are also struggling to make a living like themselves, people who desire to have a sense of belonging in this piece of land they call home.

It had been a tiring 5 years since 2008, with many of us glued to Facebook, Twitter and other popular social media sites daily,updating their statuses with their opinions on the political drame unfolding as GE13 approaches. Some even let their political selfs take over their 'normal' lives, providing 'analysis' after analysis on the local political scene. These people make it their mission to spread political awareness to those who have been sceptical as to their influence on the election's results. They breathe and sleep politics, as some might rightfully deduce.

Back in 2008 when FB was still at its infancy stage, there were no high speed broadband

connections quite as speedy as they are these days. 514 kbps or even 1Mbps were 'super' speeds those days but yet, the netizens were busy tapping away on their keyboards as they put forward their opinions and tried to cultivate the same school of thoughts politically. And one's updates were viewed by the 700,000 odd FB members then. There were no groups like what we have these days. The groups were designed to make it difficult for paedophiles to reach out to children.

Race and religion were the hot topics debated back then, as we tried to rationalise the differences in opinion. In summary, we agreed to disagree. However, politics was what kept us together through the years and we have made each others' friends and stuck through the years. Malays, Chinese, Indians...we were the citizens of Malaysia.

When citizenships are mentioned, foreigners invariably come to mind, as to their actual role in society besides earning their rice bowls, far away from their homeland. Socially inept, they kept largely to their own communities, living in squalid conditions that beggars disbelief, that one could live in a chicken coop. However, their roles in society have 'diversified', as observed in the recent polls. Their presence in the country is much needed by the people of a certain political divide as the foreigners provided an easy avenue of political support in the form of votes.

Now, this will rile up the citizens as the government allowed them to have a say in the running of the country albeit in an illegal way. Despite the denials, evidences of these foreigners at voting stations continue to be ignored by the officials who merely 'reassured' the citizens that as long as these foreigners are on the electoral list and posses an IC, they're allowed to vote. Coupled with the blackouts, the winning votes were rigged and Voila! we had the winner at 1.00 a.m early Monday morning.

While the country did not Change! or Ubah! as the members and supporters of Pakatan Rakyat had hoped, the struggle will continue although they deserve to take a rest after intensely rallying the 1st time voters and fence sitters to put their votes for the cause. Mammoth street gatherings were organised to speak out against unfairness in the electoral system, as they struggle to cast the demon out. However, the demon remained entrenched in the system for yet another 5 years or that's what it seems until the internal revolt takes place.

Until then, the winner is allowed to bask in the glory or winning or wallow in shame for a reduced majority, thereby casting the entire coalition into a risky situation where a sudden change of heart may result in cross overs which will transform the political landscape once again. Malaysians have spoken up, and they have shouted loud enough, that fairness and a corruption-free society is what the country direly requires, to secure a better future for the next generation. It's not a 'Chinese Tsunami'. On the contrary, it's a Malaysian tsunami as the well-read and well-connected join hands to alter the future of the country and steer it out of the quagmire of rot that it's submerged in at the moment.

Congratulations to the people who have made it possible to win with a bigger majority than before and kudos to those who stuck through thick and thin. Change! and make sure it's complete at the next opportunity.

Polls A-Calling

2012-07-31T21:54:00.002+08:00

Pakatan Rakyat this, Pakatan Rakyat that. Barisan this, Barisan that. Opposition this, Opposition that. Revelations this, revelations that. We're right, you're wrong. Conspiracy this, conspiracy that. Gatherings here, gatherings there. Tear gas here, tear gas there.

These are some of the words splashed across the mainstream media daily. Whether the internet, the age old newspapers, the idiot box or the radio. We have no choice but to see or listen to these words being bandied around as political parties and their supporters up their ante on campaigns as the polls loom closer around the corner (or at least that's what most of us think, although the last call for polls would be in March 2013).

Many of those well-meaning folks, would have adviced the young voters to register themselves as voters. The apathical young voters who have the influence and might to decide on governments. The ones who spend most of their waking hours on the internet, scouring the web for information relevant to their areas of interest. But one can't put aside the influential and formidable online news website : Malaysiakini, the select choice of news agency that's credited for being the more neutral and brave in putting forward their views on the local political scene.

Fence sitters are the bane of political parties. Either they're not interested in carrying out their patriotic duty for the country in ensuring their government of choice rules the motherland or they're still lounging in the thoughts that their will never amount to anything. Well, they must be told in no uncertain terms that every vote counts, as the battle against illegal voters is an uphill task, legitimised by a corrupt regime that strives to ensure it's political survival albeit against an uprising new tide of new generation of voters who're more vocal and dare to exhibit their thoughts and actions in the open arena.

While the youth are allowed to absorb the political news from both sides of the political divide, one must already have decided on which party he/she will vote for. Being pussy footed about this decision may cost the country another 5 years of political struggle as corruption and racial anarchy reigns supreme. It should be clear to the youths by now, which side is the more peaceful and forward looking, and potential choice of government for the next 5 years. There is no right or wrong party to support. Make the choice and openly support the side which has been chosen.

While youths may be the decision makers, those who have not cast their votes before, may also cost the future of the country. These potential voters, might not think that their votes will amount to much. However, it should be hammered into their grey matter, that every vote counts. They are potential kingmakers. Both these groups of potential voters are being reached by the agents from sides of the political divide. The youths being closely in touch with technology and information, are called upon to spread the word of truth against the lies and might of the great propaganda machines of the current leadership and convince their brethern to cast their votes when the time comes.

Whether a better government comes into rule or not, these group of potential voters must realise that's indirectly their fault for not performing their duty as permitted by law. The apathical voters must cast their doubts aside and make their choice so that their government of choice is given an opportunity to proof their administrative skills, in managing the country well and free from corruption so that the citizens are able to enjoy the benefits, funds which are apportioned from taxes on their incomes.

Spread the word and convince all voters and potential voters alike, to carry out their patriotic duty to protect and serve their country from further plunging economically into an abyss. Take a look at our closest neighbour down south and dream that one day, Malaysia, may achieve the prosperity and efficiency of a well managed country that rose from an island swamp. To a better world, Cheers!

Whither The End Of CNY Celebrations?

2012-01-30T22:04:00.000+08:00

Year after year, moons after moons, the festivities of the annual Chinese or Lunar New Year are celebrated with laughter (could it be due to the large doses of alcoholic beverages?) and merriment the world over. Traditionally served by the Chinese culture, the festivities are celebrated by all, irrespective whether they are Buddhists or Christians, as it is fundamentally a cultural celebration. That's the greatness of being a Chinese, culture being one of the most important aspects.

During these festivities, family and friends join in to add to the laughter and merriment. Friends and acquitances vary in degree of bonding to oneself. Friends being those you can depend upon to provide a listening ear (not only to borrow money) when you're down. Friends being those who don't feel obliged to accompany you during your moments of sorrow or instances of happiness. Acquitances being those who give a myriad of excuses when you need their company the most. Acquitances being those who work great together but once out of the work environment, go far away to their own respective corners of the world to hibernate before the next work day arrives after a brief sojourn of a thousand jumping sheeps on the bed.

Family members are those connected by blood relations. A relation that cannot be spliced by choice. A relation that sticks together with you until the time you leave the earth for the heavens (if it exists). A relation that you cannot erase from the family tree. As they say, blood is thicker than water. Well, what do you expect? There's plenty of plasma and other components that makes the fluid of life what it is.

Lunar New Year celebrations begin with the receipt of red packets from your parents, relatives and friends when you're young and single. In the later stages of life when you're married, you're required to depart with cash to the younger ones who have not yet settled down. However, once you start having kids, you may 'recover' some of your dearly departed cash. That's how the world order works or at least how we make it out to be.

The crunch of life begins when you've arrived at mid-age. At this period of time, relatives may be 'going off' in a hurried manner as some may have reached their 60s or somewhere later than that. For some, relatives and friends could be departing to the netherworld earlier than expected. It is during the period of festivities that their presence could be sorely missed. At this point, we're rendered to moments of melancholy under the influence of the bright full moon.

In these moments of melancholy, we're driven back to the times when we were younger and everyone was very much alive. When we used to receive red packets after a handshake, wishing each other 'Happy New Year'. This 'period' of happiness often brings us back to the time when we were 15 years old or younger. When neither care or worry affected us, as we light up fireworks and firecrackers for once in a year.

There will come a time when we're truly bereft of the living aged ones who have accompanied us on our life journey. When that time comes, we will depend on the younger ones to humour and entertain us, as we march through this procession of Life. Having said that, cherish your moments of celebration for the new year as anything can happen before the next lunar new year arrives...

Winning Or Losing - Is It Important?

2011-09-28T23:38:00.000+08:00

Giving in, making way for others...these are some of life's dilemmas. Should we give in all the time and follow the middle path, according to the teachings of one religion? Will giving in, make us a better person? How will others perceive us? Is it important how others perceive you? Does that question rank highly in your mind daily, as you struggle to make a living?

What does giving in entail? It means not being opiniated and happy to follow others' suggestions or orders. It means not questioning the rationale behind the request or proposal. It means just doing as told or suggested. It means not having the will to seek answers to the questions that you keep in your heart, afraid to let your doubts be known to the people around you.

Will making way for others make one a benevolent person? Easing others' concerns, will create the impression that you're big hearted, willing to not take credit for your efforts in a project. They say action speaks louder than words. Therefore, you choose the path of benevolence. Is it the right choice? You think that letting others have their way is something that religion has taught you. But will you be at peace with yourself?

As a people's representative in the form of Members of Parliaments, benovelence is a required virtue. The people elected you into position with hopes that their concerns are highlighted in the parliament, to be enacted into laws as the need may be. Or to amend existing laws to reflect the current needs. Difficult as it may be, going against the unequal number of opposing sides, laws may or may not be debated after the first hearing, depending on which side is disadvantaged.

Have the opposing sides given way for the good of the majority? Do they make way for proposals that are beneficial to the people? It has yet to be seen, however. The Speaker being the event controller, he may decide to support the government of the day, to the detriment of the opposing side who may be highlighted the genuine needs of the society at large.

It can be deduced that politics and work life are no different. You'r basically practising politics in your daily work life. If you're good at politics in the workplace, you're suited to represent the people. Conversely, if you're good at politics in the people's arena, you can survive well in the workplace. You see, politics is something that we can't avoid in our daily lives. We put on masks as the need may be. At the end of the day, we take off this mask and bask in the comfort of our family at home.

Giving in or making way for others, is a way of life. Having said that, it is not wrong to be opiniated either. Proposals can be improved or torn apart for betterment. Ultimately, it is about working or existing harmoniously with each other. It's not a battle between right or wrong. It's about convincing others that there's more to Life than the continuous debate between right or wrong. It's about deciding to be happy living. It's about synergy in life.

Human Relations - Wither Without?

2011-02-23T13:04:00.000+08:00

Scrawny faces, ugly looks, sour expression, blank looks, etc. These are some but the types of facial expressions that humans can summon with the tweak of a group of muscles. Facial expressions speaks greatly about the emotions that human beings face at any particular point in time. Such is the beauty of the creation of the human body, amongst other great tools that we have.

When you're in an train, do you offer a blank look at the person who's tightly squeezed into the space in front of you? Do you look up at the ceiling instead of the pretty lady's cleavage? Do you look away from the good looking guy who may be hoping that you'll give him a glance? Or do you look down on the floor, admiring the myriad of shoe patterns and styles that adorn the feet of the train's passengers as they rush to work or on the way home to a nice home cooked dinner?

Will you offer a 'Hi!' when your eyes meet the eyes of the person opposite you? Or even a hint of a smile? Are you afraid that the person may think that you're interested in him/her? In fact, yes you are interested but for the sake of striking a conversation only. For how do relationships begin without any action contributing to the start? Even a smirk goes a long way to spark an interest in mutual desire to know each other better.

Human relations are an important part of a person's life. We don't live exactly in a static world devoid of human contact. Whether face-to-face or via social networking sites in the cyberworld, human interaction makes life meaningful. Humans are sociable creatures who need the company of other human beings for comfort. To share happiness, sorrow and a host of other activities that will elude a person who lives in solitary.

In the workplace or in any other kind of interaction with human beings, it is important that we understand how the social humans work. We depend on colleagues in one way or another. Nobody exists in unity in an organisation. Tolerance is a vital social value as not everyone may share the same opinion as you. Neither do they have to agree with what you want to say or do. Too much of pride will cause your own downfall. Humbleness will put you close to people's hearts and this will certainly oil your path to a greater future.

In politics, one can be a maverick and mow down everyone in one's path. However, what does it achieve? It will only lead to your alienation from the rest of the party people and supporters. No matter how opinionated one may be, it pays to stop and listen to other's views on certain subjects, if not all. Politics is a gathering of a group of people with a common belief and it's better to organise a large group for any change to happen in a meaningful way. To do so, humans must be able to present their views in a palatable manner.

It is only through many discussions and understanding one another, that society will be able to accept each other for we're born with every little difference that makes ourselves unique. The world would certainly be a boring environment if everyone's the same replication of a divided gene. Robots we shall be, devoid of any expression or actions. These mechanical creatures only perform as programmed. Do we want to be like a robot?

Human relations are an inevitable component of Life. Accept it that others are not you. Likewise, your personality doesn't constitute others' outlook towards Life. Be nice to people, and there's a higher chance that people will be nice to you in return. We're on the same journey of Life and it's better that we walk along a path of Happiness. Life is not a choiceless world. Make the right choice and may you enjoy living a satisfying life.

Change Is Difficult But Inevitable

2010-10-20T00:07:00.001+08:00

Year in, year out, day in, day out, we have to slog or drag our poor soul through this drama called 'Life'. Like it or not, we have to force ourselves out of bed and face the day, with the bravery befitting a soldier defending his nation. On the other hand, we could be more optimistic and begin the day with the desire to change the world and therefore, excited to get out of bed because there's so much ahead of us to accomplish? Which one of this scenario would you desire?

There's no doubt that you have to get out of the comfortable bed sooner or later. But what are you going to do for the rest of the day? Is dragging yourself through the day a good choice? Or are you going to decide on buying a fake M.C and call it a day and mope for the rest of the day in bed at home?

As you mope in bed, the flowers would've bloomed and getting ready to soak in the sun's rays to generate the day's food supply so that it can last the day, before it calls it a day when the sun sets. Won't it be a better choice to rise and shine, and actually anticipating excitedly to step into the office, eager to tackle the challenges which the workplace is bound to give you? Won't this lead to a more meaningful life, a fuller one, that you will live to regret when you're lying on bed counting down the last minutes and seconds to your life? Will you lie on the bed, reflecting on the regrets that wouldn't have been had you taken on 'Life' with gutso and anticipation? Will you leave this world with a heavy sigh?

No doubt the daily grind of travelling to the workplace is a challenge in itself. What with the need to send the kids to school (public transportation is an uncertainty in itself but let's keep it for another topic), face the traffic congestion amidst an exploding full bladder and eventually finding a carpark when you arrive at the workplace? I'm sure many of us can empathise with those who are facing this similar or near similar scenario for 5 or 6 days a week. Faced with the prospect of going through this daily cycle repeatedly for at least 30 years will definitely kill the desire to live for any ordinary person. But it's rather a no choice thing, right? Everyone goes through it and what makes you different from the rest of them?

Add to this, the concern for where the country is heading politically. The landscape has changed since 2008, with more people getting vocal with their opinions in social networking sites and blogs. Within the ever borderless world, conversations take place within seconds around the world. Nothing can escape the notice of netizens who spend their life behind the computer screen, scouting for things of interest to entertain themselves. Mainstream media is being rejected on a larger scale due to the mistrust, that the MSM is a voice of the current goverment. They need to renew their publishing license, right? Go take a walk or jog and exercise your worries away.

Putting the worries of maintaining a job and the country's political direction together, is definitely going to give you sleepless nights. With so much uncertainties, what does the future hold for us? Are we secure in our current jobs? Will inflation and the jobless scenario aflict us in the next two years? 'Life' is just like water flowing in a river - it keeps on flowing past boulders and any obstruction that gets in its way. Water has been known to carve through mountains, creating beauties of nature that we appreciate once a while.

When you're faced with an obstacle, do you take a step back and refrain from advancing further in 'Life'? Do you fear the unknown? Or would you get to know the unknown and together with like minded people, strive to move past the source of obstruction? Maybe alone, you won't be able to do it, but together, no obstacle is ever so big that it cannot be surpassed. Can we make it happen? The decision is in our hands.

Or are you just going to pause and stare at the unknown, like the gecko on the right? Of course, it's the easiest 'solution' when faced with a problem. In Buddhism, there's nothing wrong or right. But you have answer your own karma. It goes around until you realise what you should've changed. Will the current government satisfy your desire for a competent, accountable and transparent management of the country? With hundreds of thousands of citizens leaving the country yearly for better prospects in a foreign land, doesn't it speak volumes about the government? Coupled with the abuse of the justice system to oppress the opposition movement, do you have any minute hope at all for justice to be meted our in a fair and just manner?

Are we going to be like leaves fallen to the ground, after our life has been squeezed out of us under an oppressive leadership. Are we going to just shrivel up for people to run over us? Or are you going to take part actively in a movement that's changing the country for sure. For better or for worse, if we don't give it a try, we will not know the result. What have we got to lose anyway? We have already lost much, to politicians who incite racial unrest with impunity, knowing that the law will 'protect' them from being ever penalised from their crime while opposition members are arrested at the slightest provocation? Are we going to let ourselves be trampled further by oppresive leaders?

I say we arm ourselves with knowledge (not from the MSM) and make the decision for change. It's no point lounging in the comforts of the home and complaining. Do something about it. Together we can. Change is imminent and we must make sure it happens. If change had taken place earlier, we would not be in the dire economic situation we are in now. After this change, may our lives sail smoother. We head towards the mountains and make sure we're able to go over it.

Peaceful Gatherings - Is It Possible?

2010-08-02T00:45:00.000+08:00

It was a cool, dark night on 1st August, 2010 with a slight drizzle. Some would say that it's probably 'hujan rahmat' as the Almighty symphatizes with his creations who are gathering to commemorate the anniversary of the anti-ISA protest. Anticipation of a show of force by the men in blue is imminent as the time passes by close to the 30th minute after 2000 hrs. All possible entry points into AmpCorp Mall have been blocked and manned by the police.

The protestors gathered and walked across the carpark to the open field. The national anthem 'Negaraku' was sung loud and clear for everyone to hear. Is it a crime to gather in an open field to sing 'Negaraku' together. The men in blue don't think so and they're allowed to continue up to the end of the 2nd repeat of the national anthem. It's great to see Malaysians sing in unity. This is what the leaders of our beloved country have espoused - unity.

As it was drizzling, the protestors marched into the shopping mall to seek shelter from the tears in the sky as possible arrest becomes imminent as time passes by, closer to 2030 hrs. Under the shade of the mall, candles are lighted up after 'Negaraku' is sung for the 3rd time. Shouts of 'Hidup Rakyat' and 'Mansuhkan ISA' is heard as the protestors made the call from the bottom of their heart as they yearn and demand for change.

The FRU stations themselves at the front of the main lobby, standing by in case the police riots. The protestors are a reasonable lot and are just gathering peacefully to highlights the ills of the country. It is feared that the police will riot, seeing peace in process. They wait for their instructions. Those manning the flea market are grumbling that the police's actions are hindering their business.

The protestors were observed walking in front of the FRU, inquiring with them on the reason why they were deployed in great numbers to 'monitor' a peaceful gathering? No, they are just following orders. Two FRU trucks were parked beside the open field, ready to imprison unlucky protestors who were caught. It's just a small truck, so not many will arrested tonight. Don't worry, the men in blue are nice people and won't arrest more than they have to. Only the popular ones will be detained for 'further questioning' in the prison cell while the others will most probably be counselled not to participate in this 'illegal' gatherings in future.

At the blow of the whistle, all hell breaks loose and everyone runs helter skelter. The men in blue rushes into the middle podium of the shopping mall. A protestor was manhandled and dragged to the awaiting truck. Photographs rushed to capture the violent scene as they wondered what could have warranted such a reaction from the men in blue? Nobody were instigating them. Most probably they received instruction 'from above' and had to 'menjalankan tugas' as dutiful public servants who have failed to apprehend the real criminals in the form of snatch thiefs, robbers, serial killers, etc. But arresting peaceful citizens seems to be their forte these days, although they're their paymasters.

The shoppers and onlookers were warned to stay away. Businesses were disrupted not by the peaceful protestors but the men in blue as tables and chairs were pushed aside in their haste to arrest the citizens. It was total chaos for about 5 minutes. Most probably the rest were spared because there was no more room for them in the little trucks. These scenes are likely to be the norm as the citizens demand for the repeal of an archaic law that oppresses the commoners who want change. Peaceful gatherings are not impossible, as long as the men in blue don't interrupt the peace process and citizens awaken to their rights in the democratic fight for justice.

A Team Who Plays Together, Works Together

2010-06-06T22:40:00.001+08:00

Arguments, debates, debacles, etc. These words all point to the same thing - that there's some unhappiness on one party and the other demands an explanation or at least a justification on the action that caused the unpleasant situation. While there's intellectual value in debates, arguments and debacles almost always end up as a waste of time and resources for both the accusing and aggrieved parties. Should we instead spend more time on beneficial activities or continue to argue till the end of time? Would you gain satisfaction from maligning others? Have you considered the fact that others may do the same to you? Unproven assumptions and accusations will drive a company to disaster if not nipped in the bud, don't you agree?

In any company, whether there's only 3 employees or 3,000 employees, there will exist cliques amongst the employees working there. And why not? One should only choose to work with those who they are more comfortable working with. And why not? Why waste resources convincing the other party of need to work together objectively? Why waste time to convince the other party that there's a vital need to work as a team? Don't they already know that we have to work together for the good of the company?

Who will stand to benefit should there be teamwork amongst the employees? No, it's not the clients nor the bystanders to the arguing circus. Yes, it's the employees themselves who stand to gain if there's a concerted effort directed towards solving a work-related problem instead of wasting saliva on personal-related problems. Yes, the top management may even observe and recognise this visible teamwork effort by handing out the bonus the employees so much desire or even feel obliged to organise events that may further enhance the good relations amongst employees.

Now, a Family Day is not an obligation of the company to organise. It is an expensive event to organise - accommodation, food, activities and logistics. Especially so if the employees are great in number, adding the fact that most would have families coming along. However, Family Day is an event where the employees and their families get an opportunity to know each other better and may even further cement the good relations amongst the employees. Wives and children will get to play together and it is an excellent opportunity to mingle around, besides the Annual Dinner which normally consists of the employee and his/her spouse only. I mean, why not? What do we stand to lose for attending this meaningful event? Nothing much, I guess.

The programs and logistics takes months to prepare. Rooms need to be booked well in advance, taking into consideration that other companies/organisations may have the same idea in organising Family Day. The room access cards need to be collected and counter checked to ensure that they open the room they're supposed to open. Employees need to be allocated rooms according to their family size or if they're single, studio rooms which will reduce the chance of inter-mixing which is against the grain of most religions.

The most important thing to remember in Family Day events is that you have to be pro-active. You need to volunteer yourselves to participate in the games. You need to be more extrovert than normal. You need to introduce yourselves so that others may at least know your existence and have you participate in the games planned. Don't wait for the organising committee members to call/plead you to participate. If you're an introvert, well, this is an excellent opportunity for change. Don't worry, they won't bite, I'm sure. The main objective is to mingle around with the crowd, no matter who they are, whatever level of management they are.

However, the best activity in my opinion, would be the photography part of the whole event. In telematches, there's ample opportunity to capture scenes of activities, comedic action of the games participants, facial expressions as they struggle to complete the games, and kids are the best subjects for photography because they are most cute as they are guided by their parents in completing the games. Humans are great subjects for photography.

Of course, the satisfaction from taking photographs would be to know that others enjoy or at least agree with your shots. Comparing the photos with fellow photographers would be an excellent opportunity for learning - learning is a never ending process in whichever part of your life you're in. Any camera will do - it's the composition of the image that matters. Having an expensive camera doesn't always guarantee a good photograph.

In summary, if there's ever a Family Day being organised, it's best to stamp your participation in this great activity for nurturing and enhancing employee relationships. Unless you have other more important personal matters to attend to, of course. And that's most probably because after work, most of us would normally head home to our families and have individual family activities.A team that plays together will work together in a more harmonious working environment, I'm sure. Well, at least that's what I believe in. All the angst would be set aside during the Family Day and who knows, it may change your working relationships for the better. When there's a harmonious working environment, all he unnecessary knots would be released. Carpe diem!

Happy Parents Day - Why Not?

2010-05-11T00:18:00.000+08:00

Babies are being born every second. With that, a couple becomes parents. Just imagine how many parents are created every second. And with the mortality rate that controls the population boom, we can be sure that new parents will be created and aged parents will end their contribution with their dignified passing. It's part of the cycle of LIFE. Just imagine what would happen if the mortality rate is low and the human population keeps on increasing? Overpopulation is not something pleasant as everyone would be rushing for food to ensure their survival and surely there would be a shortage of food then. Did you read that for earth to be given a chance to recover, 70% of humans must die?

For those of us who still have parents, we should be thankful and grateful for that gift. Sure, we didn't ask to be born. Therefore, our being born is more of a choiceless living? For those who are born with a silver spoon, they may say life has been great for them. However, for those who were born in the slumps, well, they may say has been great too...if they haven't had the opportunity to experience the other side of where they may be living in. Having said that, the rich will have their 'rich' problems while the poor will have their fair share of 'poor' problems. Well, the diversity of Life is what gets us moving as we begin to appreciate Life as it is and stop to smell the rose every now and then.

I'm grateful that my parents are still with me. Both are 66 and 64 years old respectively. Now that they're this old, I can really see how they've aged with time. From big, sturdy, able bodied adults who have taken care of me and nurtured me to being who I am currently, their faces are wrinkled and the melanin has contributed to the many spots on their skin as the UV rays work their way through and their weight has subsided a lot. Biology is wonderful, isn't it?

Once a while, when the the full moon blooms, I get a little melancholic. As I sit quietly contemplating LIFE, I also think about the family which I was fortunate to have been born into. To think that I used to be the little rascal who used to drive my parents up the wall with my pranks, and now grown up to have a kid and daughter who too, are driving me up the wall with their own unique pranks. That's the cycle of life, isn't it? Life, in its own humorous way. Discipline aside, it's wonderful to observe them as they grow up and the increase in their tenacity and energy is really great. Nerve wrecking it can be, but their growing up process is a fascinating real life drama to follow.

No, not only did I harass my parents, I remember my late grandfather chasing me up the tree as I climbed hurriedly to escape the cane. Stayed there for quite a while until he gave up. And to think of it, I spent a lot of my growing up years on the mango tree. Plucking the unripe mangoes and eating it on the spot. Thinking about it now sends shivers down my spine, as the sourness will cause my teeth to 'shake'. And not to mention, de-skinning the sugarcane with my bare teeth. And to top it all, I would climb onto the garage of the single storey bungalow without any assistance from the ladder. Walked on the sloping roof and climbing down eventually by the tree. That's how 'great' I was those days. Nowadays, just thinking of it makes my palm sweat!

On the other hand, I also helped my mum to make kuih bangkit, curry puffs and other cookies for Chinese New Year. I can still remember the dining table (which has since made way for a new marble top round table) messed up with white flour and the sound of knocking as we attempted to get the formed dough out of the mould, ready to be baked by the oven. The curry puffs made by my grandfather was great - I couldn't wait for it to cool down sufficiently to sink my teeth into it. The curry potato was heavenly, hot from the wok. And not forgetting the tons of kaya jam that I've eaten in my lifetime. You see, there's a jungle near my house (which has since made way for a housing estate in progress) where my grandfather collects matured coconuts. Once the coconut milk is squeezed out to make kaya, the husk and shell is used as fuel to fry the waste coconut whites to obtain coconut oil for cooking purposes. Talk about multipurpose product of nature.

My dad stayed at the back of the violin class in order to learn the violin - to teach me back at home. Can you imagine the dedication to music? He himself learned the organ at age 30 odd. Perhaps to make up for the lost opportunity when he was young and couldn't afford it. And when I was in Form 3, when most boys would have gotten a motorcycle to bring sweet young things around, my dad used the amount of money that could have purchased a bike, to buy me a violin? What the hell, I cursed. When the rest of my buddies are busy feeding their growth hormones, I was doomed at home with the violin? Is it fair? Well, at that time, no. But I'm grateful for that now, as I have musical knowledge and am able to play a few other musical instruments. At least, I have something different from my friends. Music is a tool to get people together as music is a form of 'international language', understood by all.

Not forgetting the driving lessons before I was legally able to take driving lessons. It wasn't as easy as it looked as I learnt to estimate the size of the car and manipulating the clutch and gears to get the car moving while steering it at the same time. Quite a momentous task at that young age. But I was proud - to be given the trust and opportunity to drive. If I can remember correctly, I was about 15 years of age then. I didn't have the opportunity of owning a motorcycle as mum had deemed it as a dangerous vehicle. I eventually purchased one of my own (Aprilia) when I worked in Singapore and zoomed home one day to show them ... that, hey! I have a motorcycle now. 140 km/h on the highway was fun then.

Oh, there were one too many occasions where I was caned for both being naughty and stubborn. But I believe now that capital punishment was to discipline and mould me into what I am now. I could've been with bad company if not for the constant reminders with the cane. Likewise, I'm now using it on my daughter because she can get out of hand sometimes. But sparingly.

Dad used to be the discipline tyrant and mum is who I went to for consolation. I think it's the same for everyone, in a 'normal' family. I've never heard of mums who would cane their sons. But occasionally, I would get a rap on the head by mum if I had been a tad too stubborn and caused her anguish. No permanent damage from this.

And not forgetting the stray dog which we had grown to like. It began with feeding it with plain white rice. Being hungry, the dog appreciated our kind gestures and decided that we would be the family to have him. Both parents objected because of the additional member in the family but over time, the dog which we called 'Doggie' convinced them that it's special. Did I say before that it could de-husk the coconut? And pull us on our bicycle? It's a big dog and it stayed with us for about 10 years before passing on to the nether world. Memories, memories. Regretted not having taken more photos of our Doggie. It's only when it left that I realised that there weren't enough photos of it but for the fortunate few.

I could go on and on about how I was being brought up and how my parents dealt with my growing years. If I get too lengthy, you would most probably wonder why I'm babbling too much this time on this blog. But really, there's more to write and I would be honoured to share my life's experience with you. I'll leave it to some other title to write about. In the meantime, Happy Parents Day and why not? Why succumb to commercialism? Every day should be parents' day and we should cherish them while they're still alive even though I would feel tongue tied to express my feelings but I guess, action shows. I never believed in visiting the grave and burning prayer material after their death. It's all hogwash and I won't know for sure whether they'd receive those objects that we burn for them. Again, Happy Parents Day.

Death - Is it Necessarily Negative?

2010-04-13T21:56:00.000+08:00

Death is a word that strikes fear into everyone's minds. Or at least generates spooky feelings in relevance to ghosts - spirits who roam after death. Death is a macabre word that most people would want to avoid uttering. Death conjures up images of sadness, despair and doom. Why can't it conjure images of happiness, hope and bloom instead? What is it that prevents us from thinking positively about death? Should death be such a good thought, that everyone would rush to be on the bandwagon? Why should anyone avoid death like the plague? Why go to great lengths to prevent people from uttering the death word? Is it such a bad thing to think of death once a while?

Why is death always a negative thing? Of course, death separates us from our loved ones. But isn't it something good for them, that they're able to leave this world of suffering and cross over to the next world? Should we instead be happy for them, for they're crossing over earlier than us? It's like saying goodbye when the bus leaves. But then, the bus in the real world, will return. In the ethereal world, spirits of the dead will return. Physically, no but spiritually, yes. Death is like a journey. It's up to us to ensure that it's a pleasurable one. Your imagination will ascertain what to expect ahead.

Should we be happy for those who manage to leave earlier than us? Why not? Nobody thinks of separation in good terms. It's always thought of in negative terms. When the time comes for them to leave, it's more often a 'no choice' thing. Unless they committed suicide thing, of course. But then, suicide is a choice, no? Put that aside. Back to 'no choice' death. When the Reaper comes calling, it's time to go. Sometimes, there's no time to say goodbye. Maybe it's best that way, sometimes?

So, if you have to go, you have to go. We should be happy for them but the burden is on us to let go. Humans are a sentimental lot in nature and will run through a quick re-collection of the past and present when a loved one is about to leave this mortal world. While the loved one fades into unconsciousness, the one who's leaving will also experience quick flashes of their own past and present. It's normally during the point of death, that humans go through this stage. It's like a video recorder being made to run on excessive speed till its end of the tape reel.

Before dying, most probably there'll be regrets. Regrets of not saying what you wanted to say when the person was still alive, which makes you think why you didn't want to say it at all? Regrets of not doing something that you've wanted to do all this while, but procastinated till the last moment and having realised that you're no longer in a position to perform the tasks? It's not a good feeling to have regrets on your deathbed. During that time, there's more turning back. The bus has arrived and the door is open, waiting for you to board. No, there's no chance of throwing the ticket away. A helpless feeling isn't exactly a good feeling.

On some occassions, when there's instant death, there's no opportunity for reminiscing the past or even having regrets. Bang! You're dead. That would probably be the best way to go? If it's an accident, having the thought of being maimed for life or even having an arm or leg amputated would most probably be an unbearable thought for some. So, for these people, a quick launch into the ethereal world is the best way. No time to even think of loved ones they'd be leaving behind or even to consider whether the world awaiting them will be a good one, like what they've dreamed about all this while. Or like what their religion has preached to them, heaven is awaiting if you've done good. And when you reach the Gates, the Gatekeeper apologises and informs regretfully that you're not allowed into Heaven...but leave this for another blog, ok?

So, think of it. There's only 2 things certain in life - death and taxes. Why not relish death? I'm also reminding myself that death of loved ones is inevitable. As you age, you biologically slow down to a standstill (freeze). I've gone through 5 passings, I guess. Fortunately, nothing happened to my immediate family members...yet. I know I will have to face it one day. So fearful am I of this thought that I always think it's best for me to 'go' first. Then I won't have to shed tears for them. It's a painful event, I can imagine. I can also empathise with those who have lost their loved ones.

So, is death a negative thing? We should look at it positively. It will help us to overcome the doom and gloom. Thinking that the dead would be on their way to a better future, will enable us to overcome our grief faster than moaning over the death. The emotional suffering would be short. After the burial, we look at the gravestone and think of the legacy that was left behind and hope that the dearly departed would continue to think of us and drop hints of their visit every once a while. The Chinese will wait for the Hell Gates to open in the 7th Month whilst other cultures would have their own unique way to deal with the dead. Therefore, death is a good thing and we should be envious of those who have managed to leave early. For those who've left, please wait for us to come, ok?

The New Year - Is Everything Ok?

2010-01-10T01:38:00.001+08:00

Another year has gone. 2009 is no more. 365 days of last year is the past now. Time and tide waits for no man (and ladies). Once it's gone, it's gone and turning back the clock's arms won't bring back last year. Not even reversing the date of the clock. But you can choose to fool yourself, if you want to. The past is the past and accept the new year as it comes. You can't hide in one corner and pretend that the new year hasn't arrived.

What has changed for this year? Well, at least you're one year older already. Whether aging has created a more mature 'you', only you can determine. New Year Resolutions will remain as mere statements unless you physically take action on it. It could be only one resolution but if it just remains as a thought, then you could perhaps make it your resolution to complete last year's unresolved resolutions. For those who have one too many resolutions, you can pacify yourself by completing as many resolutions as possible.

I'm past making resolutions because I know I won't be able to accomplish it . Making resolutions only made me feel good. However, it doesn't feel good if I don't accomplish it. So, for this year's resolutions - there won't be any. Keep life simple. I hope I'm not alone in this. I hope there's many, many others out there who are like me. Keep taking photographs, enjoy the great food out there and enjoy life. Oops, that's sounds like 3 resolutions already.

With 4 churches having had molotov cocktails thrown at them and damaged as a result of the fire, one wonders what 2010 brings us. It's not a good start to the year but political anarchists have managed to bring uncalm to the country. No, they're not religious anarchists but rather, political anarchists who are bent on taking over the Selangor state by whatever despicable means. This event is like food - if you don't like it, just spit it out.

And that's what the rakyat is doing. Throw the bad away. They are not going to be sucked into this political game. The rakyat is now more politically aware, compared to the situation 30 years ago, where almost everyone had to depend on what the mainstream media churns out due to no other source of information. During those days, the rakyat can be fooled by propaganda because they had no way to verify the information. The internet has saved us. This is the Information Age. With many of us on Facebook and other social networking sites and blogs, we are helping ourselves by disseminating the right information around. Of course, cybertroopers will try their best to confuse us with their selfish propaganda but we're not easily fooled or taken in by their 'stories'. They are just serving their political masters. Leave them alone. We totally understand that they're just doing their job, albeit being paid using the rakyat's money.

The power of the internet knows no bounds. 'Stories' propagated by the MSM are almost always countered with the right information on the internet, with scanned copies of the original documents to boot. With just one click and the information is transmitted to interested parties. Many times faster than the slow mail, which sometimes don't arrive at all. With many of the netizens who are bent on spreading truth and those who can only live on truth, we're pretty sure that we won't fall for the lies found in the MSM. But it's ok. Leave the MSM alone. They too, are serving their political masters. In the nearest future, we can expect to see the printed media dwindling in readership as more rakyat are joining the wireless broadband bandwagon, where information is at the tip of their fingers.

So, the year didn't begin on such a bad note after all. Well, it seemed bad in the beginning. But the solidarity shown by our brothers out there, have shown that political maturity has risen to a level that we continue to support ourselves and remind ourselves to be rational and not to be taken in by the anarchist's actions. The support level in the cyberworld and amongst the netizens is so great because we have also at the same time, managed to filter out those cybertroopers from amongst us. For one, their grasp of the English language speaks loudly of the government's stance on going against the teaching of Maths and Science in English. But let's leave English for another blog. Their answers in public discussions show's how weak their English is and it's a wonder if anyone understands them at all. But for RM3,500 monthly allowance and given a pc to boot, it's the dream job of graduates who haven't found jobs in the real world due to their uncompetitiveness. Their salary is paid by our taxes.

The way we handle the challenges posed by a dying regime will encourage others to join our team. The team for change, that is. The rakyat will be able to compare the way our leaders handle the situation. On one side, we have instigators and anarchists who abuse the MSM to spread religious and racist remarks. On the other, we have people who pacify and explain to the masses that anarchists are at work and not to be taken in by their negative actions. As a result, we have a peaceful country and citizens who are rational in their thinking. For those churches who were torched, collect money from the faithful for the repairs. I'm sure there are many who will contribute to rebuild the houses of worship.

We will continue to be rational because we have positive leaders who are rational. We will listen to them and continue to do so, as they lead us to change. Many of us strongly feel that change is imminent and it's possible in the near future. That'll be our hope for 2010. We will let the anarchists do what they think they can do, and we will just sit back and enjoy the entertainment provided by these clowns. We choose peace. We will continue to demand for peace and equality and will not let ourselves be hijacked by the actions of a few. Life should be smooth sailing and we should take every effort to ensure it stays that way. Happy New Year.

It's Time For Change

2009-12-24T00:00:00.000+08:00

Corruption. Wastage. Selective persecution by the 'authorities'. Collapsed buildings just recently completed. Cronyism. Nepotism. Murder of a foreign national. Expensive submarine purchase. Ships that were never delivered although additional money has been pumped in. Theft of jet engines, truck and tyres. Illegal takeover of an opposition held state. Court appointed MB put in place. Lighting candles, wearing black and peaceful gatherings are banned. Mansion owners who were not investigated and penalised although reports have been lodged with the anti-corruption agency. And so on and so forth.

We read about all these excesses and persecution daily both in the papers and internet. There's always a bad news almost daily. The news are what sells the papers. However, the papers have been instructed to publish more negative news on the opposition, in order to gain support and funding by their political masters. However, the traditional source of news have declined popularity as the government's voice, as the young and old indulge themselves in 'more accurate' news via blogs and internet news sites. The rakyat's distrust in the traditional media have reached the peak. Every little bit of news on the internet is now accepted as the gospel truth, contrary to what's published in the government controlled media. Facebook and Twitter groups are trying their best to spread the truth and to open the rakyat's eyes to the gross abuses by the dying regime and their conniving partners in crime.

Only those living in the rural areas and the old who don't have access to the internet, are still relying on the traditional media and are prone to being manipulated by what they read and watch on television. The fear propagated by these media is what make the rural folks retain their support for the dying regime. Traditional 'rights' are being snatched from them, these folks are being told. If you vote for the opposition, you will have less rights as a native of the country, they will say. If you want to 'sell' away your traditional rights, go vote the opposition in, and so the propaganda goes on. Do these people know what 'rights' they have and what they do not? Do they ever read the Federal Constitution which guarantees fairness and equality in treatment for all citizens?

Do they not want their fellow citizens to live harmoniously with them and share the same rights as a fellow countryman? Exactly what kind of rights do they expect to retain? The rights to the land they live on or the national reserves which continue to be plundered for a few ringgit? The rights to their special allocated places in tertiary institutions? The rights for 15% discount when purchasing houses even though they're not exactly poor when buying RM200,000 houses? The rights to worship in the houses of worship of only one particular faith, even though they could possibly be the minority in the housing estate? The rights of the privileged few who are guaranteed passes in the tertiary institutions so that they may 'progress' in life but payment of study loans notwithstanding? There are plenty of study loan defaulters out there who have good paying jobs but are reluctant to settle their debts due to an inefficient collection system. Even Datuks and Datins are amongst those who default on their study loans without nary an action taken against them in an effort to recover the debt.

As we mature politically as citizens of this beautiful country, we should allow mediocrity rule our thoughts. We have been cheated for 52 years by the regime who's main concern is to enrich themselves through dubious schemes and projects at the expense of the taxpayers. What have taxpayers benefited from the schemes and projects, but to witness the collapse of the structures that were only completed just recently? Where's the accountability of the authorities entrusted to ensure our money is well spent? Why are the excesses allowed to happen? Isn't there any monitoring body to guard the nation's wealth, making sure that the money is well spent? As far as the rakyat can see, projects are only awarded to cronies and family members of an elite few. Is this the only reason why politicians become politicians? The power to award projects, corrupts absolutely when there's no open tender to select suitable companies among the many. Even though transparency has been touted by the Prime Minister, the rakyat can see that it's merely hot air without a desire to really ensure transparency in the award of contracts, amongst others.

Do we accept mediocrity in the management of this country? Do we want to see our nation's resources get plundered for the wealth of an elite few? In the East, the virgin jungle has been raped for years, for the elite few to accumulate sinful wealth at the expense of the rakyat. Electricity and water supply has been wanting in the rural areas. Areas where villages are only accessible by boat or helicopter. Isn't it a wonder that after 52 years of plunder, the poor aborigines or the real natives of the country, continue to live in abject poverty? Children have to walk at least 3 hours across mountainous ranges just to attend school whilst others have to suffer the risk of 2 hours travel by boat. Why aren't the basic necessities provided after all these years?

It's time for change and the tide of change is riding high on the waves of public support. It's time to reject the mediocrity that has been forced upon us for thus long. We can do our part in this 'change' by first ensuring that we're registered voters. Go to the post office or the Rocket Cafe to register yourselves over a cup of coffee. It is our right as a citizen of this country, to vote. Do not allow yourselves to be a fence sitter. Every vote counts and we should ensure that the tsunami of March 2008 have greater force in the coming general elections. I'm betting on it being held in April/May next year. By the way, it takes 4 months from the time you apply, to becoming a full fledged voter in the system. Don't waste any more time. Don't waste the precious opportunity to take part in this change. Federal control is essential to access the already dwindling funds due to mismanagement of the country. We need to save what's left. Vote and ensure that your vote counts in making this country a better place, where Competency, Accountability and Transparency rules. Please vote for change! Thank you.

Life's Direction - Who's Responsibility?

2009-12-09T22:03:00.006+08:00

Right or left? Stop or go ahead? Beat the red lights or follow the traffic rules? Overtake or be overtaken? Slow down or speed up? Employ the brakes when going downhill or make use of low gears to slowly traverse down to lowland? Questions after questions arise as we trudge on the daily grind of what we call LIFE.

While there are rules that have been created to guide us in making the above decisions, it is ultimately up to ourselves to decide for ourselves as only we are responsible for ourselves. Right or left? Well, it depends on where we're heading. If we had turned right when it should've been left, it's not really a big problem as we can still slow down and make the appropriate correction to head towards the correct direction by making a U-turn.

Precious time will be lost, especially if we're attending an interview or meeting a client for discussions. That's without question. However, rather than continue to head towards the wronged direction, it's wiser to make the U-turn and then try to make up on lost time. It is futile to continue to head in the wrong direction in the hope that it will somehow lead to the correct path. And only you, the one behind the driver's wheel can make that decision to correct yourself. There's no one to honk at you to tell you that you took the wrong path, for only you know the true path towards where you're heading.

To overtake or be overtaken? What are the stakes here? If you encounter a slow vehicle ahead, you can make the decision to activate the indicator lights and proceed to overtake the vehicle, provided that there's no oncoming traffic to hinder your safe cutting in front of the slow vehicle. It's your choice to overtake. Likewise, it is also your choice to let yourself be overtaken. If you're already driving at the maximum legal speed limit, allow other impatient drivers to overtake you. Again, activate the indicator lights and move to the left. There's no harm in allowing this. Do not let ego or pride prevent you from making a wise decision to be overtaken.

In LIFE, it is sometimes wiser to let yourself be overtaken rather than competing with the other party in a meaningless competition that will surely end in tragedy should both cars meet with an accident. In LIFE, we should ask ourselves what's the hurry to get to the destination. Whether slow or fast, we're going to reach it anyway, right? Provided that there's nothing to end that path abruptly. But we wouldn't know, won't we? If we decide to overtake, make sure that there's no obstacle ahead. Always ensure that no one is injured or hurt if we decide to overtake. Likewise, it is our responsibility to allow those who overtake, a safe passage too. Slow down instead of speeding up and allow that driver to cut in safely in front of you. It is the wisest and more appropriate thing to do since we're sharing a common road.

When we're heading down a hill, do you have a bad habit of relying too much on the brakes to slow down your vehicle before taking the corner? Do you realise that if the hydraulic fluid overheats due to constant use of the brakes, the brakes may fail to work as the fluid boils? Can you then, slow down the vehicle still? At this time, it is better to stop the vehicle and let the fluid cool down a little before proceeding with the journey. Well, only you can decide whether to use the brakes constantly or employ the low gears in tackling the tricky downhill situation.

If you're too negative in your view of life and its challenges or in your workplace, you're actually applying brakes to your progress in both your LIFE and employment career. Think of it - what advantage do you get when you're obstinately negative? There's more disadvantages than advantages to this poor outlook in LIFE. On the contrary, if you employ the gears to slow down the vehicle, it is akin to making the appropriate decision to either slow down or step back momentarily to view the problem on a macro level and then tackling the problem in the appropriate manner. This way, you won't be 'overheated' with your problem but instead, you would be in a better position to overcome the challenges faced. Having a positive outlook in LIFE is essential to ensuring that you're capable to face the onslaughts of living through this challenging LIFE.

All being said, you have to make many, many decisions in LIFE. People around you can either give you the appropriate nudge to get you back on the right path if you decide to stray, or they can also lead you astray at the same time. The choice of making the right decision lies with you and only you alone. So, make sure that you equip yourself with the knowledge on what's right or wrong and continue to built on your own values as you progress. Do not trust others too easily, but don't distrust others extremely at the same time. We were given this gift of Thought, so make full use of it and may it steer you in the right direction. Carpe diem!

Working With Idiots Can Kill You

2009-11-30T20:53:00.010+08:00

Work, work, work. Who doesn't work at all? Everyone needs to work in some way or other to earn a living. Some may hawk their wares in night markets, some may hawk their fare in hawker centres or food courts, some may apply their designing ability in constructing beautiful homes or offices, some may apply their engineering knowledge in producing computer microchips, etc. The choice of occupations are myriad and only the natural creative ability of humans limits what can be done or made in this world of many opportunities.

Working with people can suffer you with idiots who continue to irritate you with their silly actions. However, working for yourself can also subject you to idiots for you will always have to depend on someone else to carry out some part of your job. Both ways, idiots will continue to ruin your working life if you choose to let the chapter continue to run its course. Would you prefer to do something about it or choose to turn a blind eye towards it? To suffer or to ignore, that's the question.

One can choose to take action by aggressively pursuing these idiots to their wits end. One can choose to live with the idiot's actions. But the issue here will be - which path will lead to a more comfortable life for yourself. Forget about the other party - it's your own life and health which is more important. In this dog-eat-dog world, survival in the corporate world is more important than anything else. Who will love yourself if not yourself?

Let's picture this scenario - continue to let yourself be affected by the actions of this idiot. One day, two day, three days, and by the fourth day you decide to live with the antics of this idiot. No matter what, you tell yourself that you can tolerate the idiocy in spite of the effects it has on your mental health and consequently, it will take a toll on your body as your blood pressure and stress levels increases every time the idiot carries out his antics. A recent study showed that working with idiots can kill you. I believe it's true. Heart attack kills, if stroke doesn't.

Or...you can take action to tell off the person and make your stand on how working colleagues should treat each other and then after that, consider that person 'invicible' in your daily life. Will you experience a better work life after this? Definitely. For you have taken control of your life and will not let anyone take away the joy of living from you. Clowning around is the way should be lived. Life shouldn't be too serious. In the end, you'd still die whether you choose to ignore or tolerate the idiots. But isn't it better to be die a happy person? Being selfish for yourself doesn't sound too good morally, but if you don't love yourself, who will?

The work environment should be filled with happiness and satisfaction. Happiness because you know that you're among friends and the good relationships go a long way towards ensuring that you'd have a satisfactory career because everyone is basically helping and supporting each other to ensure success in every work opportunity. Is this heaven or hell? Who will determine it? It's really yourself to decide whether the work environment is heaven or hell for yourself. What you do goes a long way to ensure a heavenly work environment. Who would want to go to work, dreading the moment each morning? Would you rather wake up in the morning, anxious to go to work and meet friends? Or would you rather wake up with hesitation, dreading the chore of going to work to earn a living to pay off the house or car?

I'd say take a decision to be happy and consider these idiots to be invicible and that nothing they do can destroy your beautiful day. Let the idiots suffer by themselves when no one longer pays any attention to them, while we go round our daily tasks with exuberance and anticipation. By treating the idiots as invicible, you've already taken a decision to be happy with life. Life's too short for you to let these idiots ruin your day. It's always better to have more friends, so concentrate on having more friends and more friends, for it's a joy to be working among friends. Idiots always are in the minority. Once they see that they no longer command any attention for their idiocy, they'd relent and hide in one corner and slowly, they'd fade way into nothingness for they no longer see any future working in an environment hostile to them. I choose to be happy and so can you. Enjoy yourself in the circle of life because if you spread cheer, you'll get cheer in return. Cheers!

Thailand - The Land Which Buddhism Reigns Mighty

2009-11-02T22:24:00.013+08:00

When someone mentions Thailand, what images or impressions might the word conjure? A few words immediately comes to mind e.g massage, wats (temples), tuk-tuk vehicles, polite manners, tomyum, good food, etc. These few words are so synonymous with the country that if a visitor fails to grasp these few impressions, it would've been a futile visit to the country of smile and politeness.

I was there for three (3) days last week on a business trip to explore the running of a few ports. Staying along Rama IV, opposite Lumphini Park, is not really a nice spot. It was located smack in the middle of chronic traffic congestion. However, a call for taxi was immediately served within minutes. How efficient they are. It's just a call away even though traffic was snarling.

I never cease to be amazed at the cleanliness level of the whole of Bangkok and its immediate surrounding areas. Even though some of the buildings may be old, it's only covered with moss which grew over time in damp areas. However, there's nary a plastic or pieces of unwanted paper lying strewn on the road and passageways. Perhaps being a majority Buddhist country helped to nurture this discipline of cleanliness. Even it's public toilets are spotless. I'm sure many of those who've visited the country's capital can attest to this.

Peaceful the town of Bangkok was during my visit. Even though the politics wasn't favourable to Thaksin, the people of Thailand were not violently protesting the rule of Abhisit. The days of early protest were over and I can still hear praises of Thaksin even as he continues to live in self-exile. From the support from the poor and the football fans when he acquired Manchester United, the great man continues to live on as a legend, the white elephant of ordinary Thais. The mere mention of the word Thaksin brings smile to the people as they recall his efforts to help the poor rise above their poverty.

The streets opposite Siam Paragon were a hive of business activity. From street peddlars hawking food, to street performers busking for a bit of change, to transport providers aka tuk-tuk waiting by the roadside, to people buying lotteries in the hope of striking and subsequently obtaining a richer future...they mind their own business as each goes about their daily activities, in the hustle and bustle of city life. I should be ashamed at the lack of creativeness of the Malaysians in doing business. In between buildings, the streets were converted into little restaurants with both eastern and western fare on offer. Proper chairs and tables which are normally found in restaurants found their way into these cramped 'lorongs'. If one doesn't look at both ends of the alley, one would have imagined oneself to be in a comfortable but cramped restaurant. You have to see it to believe it.

The cost transport is phenomenal compared to what we pay here in Malaysia. Fuel price ranges from Bt21.79 to Bt41.30 which is equivalent to about RM2.18 to RM4.13. Even as we complain of paying a high price for fuel at RM1.80 for RON95 and RM2.05 for RON97, we should consider the suffering of the Thais as they battle the high cost of transport in their country, even though they don't produce fuel and therefore, suffer the high cost of purchasing the carbon energy to run their mechanised vehicles. But they're not the complaining type. They'll simply find a way to reduce their fuel consumption. Tuk-tuk drivers often switch off their engines at intersections as they await the change in traffic lights. Complaining and grumbling is not their cup of tea.

Being devout Buddhists, they'd rather live with it and consider it as one of the challenges in life and one must accept it and get on with life. It's part of the cycle of karma where one keeps on improving in the many lives that each has. I hope to be able to emulate them in this simple philosophy of life and I wish that everyone would do the same and accept that no matter how one well one succeeds in life or how rich one can earn to be, life will still end but how it ends will depend on how we handle this journey called LIFE...

Is It Natural?

2009-10-19T23:36:00.005+08:00

Is it always wonderful to ogle at pretty little things? Or pretty young things, if you prefer. Is it a guy's problem or was this feeling towards the opposite sex created so that we can procreate? Don't ladies also ogle at men? Especially those who have Bollywood looks? Should we feel guilty about it? Or should we just live with this feeling, towards each other?

I was at this photo shoot event organised by Nikon, held at MidValley Megamall last Saturday. There were plenty of photographers, both amateurs and 'professionals'. They can both be differentiated by the equipment that they carried. D40 was the choice for beginners whilst D90 and D700 and super long lens were choice of the 'professionals'. Really, some of their lenses were so long that I thought they brought canons to this show. And of course, there were those with the all too familiar white and black bands on the lenses, characteristic of Canon lenses. But this show was for Nikon to show its best. But we don't mind 'outsiders' into our event. After all, Nikon has informed in its rules and regulations, that photos taken with any brand of camera will do.

Should photographers ogle at the ladies too? Who knows what goes on in the minds of those who peek through the tiny viewfinder of the camera? As we busy ourselves with clicking the 'right' shots amongst the zillions of shots, should we also take time off to ogle at the ladies through the viewfinder? Perhaps some of us were really concentrating on the shoot, whilst some may have some other ideas. There were those who were obviously oggling, for the stood near the stage without a camera of any kind. Why should they block the view if they're not participating in the contest? Aren't they a selfish lot?

For every model who strutted their stuff on stage, there could've been easily a thousand shots taken each round, as each camera was capable of at least 7 fps. For those without a mean looking external flash unit, they could 'hop on' to the flashes that were emitted by others. And if they were lucky, they can have the correctly exposed shot at another's expense. But that's life. Not everyone could afford a mean looking flash, so they had to make do with what they have. It's not that there's a lacking of flash units. There were plenty to go around, as some of the participants took it as a platform to show off their equipment.

Back to the subject of oggling. I suppose we could do both at the same time. Oggling while striving to get a good shot. It is by oggling that we make use of our internal instincts to decide the best shot when the model struts and twists her pencil thin body on stage. As we ogle, we can also choose and select which part to ogle and perhaps get another best shot? Some would take full bodies shots whilst some would take upper bodies. Not because we chose to, but out of necessity as the place in front and sides of the stage is filled with budding photographers who are trying their luck to get a break in the photography world.

No, there's nothing wrong with oggling. I don't think so anyway. Oggling is what we were created and designed for. We get to choose what we want and shoot what we think deserves to be shot. After all, the ladies were hired to strut their stuff and be oggled at. It's part of their job. They should understand that their nature of job requires them to be oggled at. They would feel flattered that they are being oggled, for the attention that they're getting. Definitely there will be more contests for us and definitely I'll be there if I can make it. Thank you, Nikon, for organising the event. For us to ogle and also to practise our photography theory and skills.

Leading A Peaceful Life

2009-10-05T22:35:00.004+08:00

Sounds simple, right? I mean, how difficult can it be to lead a peaceful life? Is peace as elusive as some make it out to be? Was 'peace' created as a marketing tool for those offering courses to teach us how to find 'peace' wherever we are, whatever state of mental health we're in?

Could a peaceful life be 'found'? Or is it up to ourselves to find peace with ourselves, in whatever environment we're in? Do we expect others to create a peaceful life or do we make an effort to make our lives a better one? Are we the captains of our lives? Or do we always want others to show the way and take the easy way out than putting in some effort to find peace?

Could we just turn a blind eye to our surroundings in our endeavour to find peace? If we see a fight at the carpark, most probably caused by someone sneeking into a parking spot or someone accidentally causing a dent in another's car, do we have the moral guts to step in and interfere in the argument, so that the aggrieved parties are able to shake hands at the end of it? Are we afraid of the negative consequences so much so that we choose to look the other way and achieve a 'peaceful' life?

If we see a crippled beggar at the local pasar malam, should we feel pity for him/her and place a few dollars into the collecting tin? Or do we consider him/her part of a syndicate and walk away, knowing that the syndicate will 'take care' of them, if we choose not to donate some money? Will we feel better by placing a few coins into the tin? Is the money used to placate our feelings of guilt or do we donate sincerely, in the hope that the few coins or dollars collected will go a long way to provide a better life for the beggar? Should we look at disdain at those who only place a few coins into the container? If a rich person only donates RM1.00, are we going to look at him/her cynically, knowing that he/she could've afforded a lot more RM1.00 for the crippled beggar? Can peace be bought?

Life is full of complex considerations. One man's meat may be another's poison. If a person goes forth to spread happiness and cheer to the world, one might think that the person has ulterior motives. Maybe the person is selling happiness and cheer. Is Santa Claus real? Is there such generous people in this world? Yes, there are. But few, they are. However, it is sufficient that these few exist, to spread as much happiness and cheer to the world as possibly can. Is such person sane? Will we be afraid of such happy and cheerful person? Is he psychotic?

Is it easier to be happy or sad? It has been said that less facial muscles are used to laugh than to frown. So should we laugh all the time? No, but smile more often. Those who laugh more are more healthier, both spiritually and physically. Laughter is infectious. Find every reason to laugh. It's easy. I was attending a funeral wake near my house. While the chanting session was in process, I noticed that a neighbour had in his arms a mat and pillow. Isn't that hilarious? I mean, the prayer was in session and the neighbour could've decided that enough is enough, and that he's moving out to find some peace and quiet, knowing that prayer chantings would last at least three days? Almost everyone else who attended this funeral wake was cheerful and none were too sad. Isn't it good for the deceased, knowing that her passing didn't bring sadness to those closest to her? Looking more than 85 years old, she would have wished for happiness for those close to her and she'd moved on peacefully.

Leading a peaceful life is not too difficult. Choose to spread happiness and cheer and peace will come to you. Do to others the way you want others to do to you. We'e heard this advice umpteen times and should put it into practise than just let it remain in theory. Go to a quiet place to contemplate on Life and seek peace in life. It's easier than you think and you'd be better for it. I'm going to choose to be happy and spread cheer to everyone I know. How about you? May you lead a peaceful life...

The Sawah Padi

2009-09-17T22:43:00.004+08:00

What can a padi field be associated with? Padi, of course. Besides that, there's the mud that helps to contain water so that the padi can obtain nourishment from its roots. Then, there's the rustling of the padi stalks as the breeze coazes it to gently sway left and right like dancing to the rhythm of music. The beating of the padi stalk against the wooden drums as the farmers attempt to separate the rice from the stalks. Rump! Rump! Rump! The farmers seem to be lost in their own pace as each other compete to complete their tasks before the sun sets, with the sun's rays beating on their well worn bodies.

Ladies in straw hats bent down as they plant the padi using the traditional 'kuku kambing' to ease each stalk into the mud in a systematic manner and in neat rows. This has since been replaced with the mechanisation of the padi planting process, with the machines being towed by tractors as the machine steadily and quickly inserts the padi into the soil. Productivity increases as the farmers are now able to cover a much larger area since the padi planting process has been speeded up significantly.

The padi will be left to mature over the next 6 months or so. With plenty of water around, fishes begin their life in the padi field as thousands of eggs hatch over time. Catching fish is sport in the padi field with the 'keli' variety outsurviving the other fishes as the fields dry up over time as the padi matures. Catch a few and place them in our little aquarium as we watch them with excitement over our catch. It won't survive long in this environment because it's habitat is in the muddy padi field.

Being bitten by leeches is also another aspect of fun in the padi field, as we traverse along the raised bunds that separates each padi plot in our endeavour to catch fish. The leech sticks to our legs, increases its grip on our skin as it attempts to suck my blood. A dash of salt would save the day, as it falls off onto the ground due to its adverse reaction to the salinity of the salt. Out comes my magnifying glass as I concentrate the sun's rays onto the leach, to see how much it can tolerate before burning up. Yes, that cruel I am and leeches are not the only objects that get burned under my magnifying glass.

As the padi matures, the whole padi field will be painted by golden yellow hues. The much stiffer stalks that has aged, will give out a soothing rustling sound as it sways in the wind. Images of kite flying now floods the memories as I recall my growing up years with the padi field in front of my house. No, I don't own the padi field. It's someone else's. After the rice has been collected and the dried stalks accumulated in heaps all over the dried padi field, I prepare my eagle shaped fabric kite ready to fly it. My brothers would take turns to run in a few attempts to launch the kite up into the sky. Then, the eagle kite will soar in the wind as it pretends to be a real eagle.

These are my memories of the padi field that has since been replaced with a housing development project. I am a kampung boy at heart and it pains me to see the padi fields slowly being replaced with houses. No doubt, we need more houses as the population grows but couldn't they be sited somewhere else? The padi field was on prime land, therefore it had to make way. In a year's time, I can only expect to see houses where the padi field used to be, in front of my house. I only have a few photographs to remind me of how it used to look like. Film being expensive to develop and print in those days, these few photographs are the only proof of the legacy of the space in front of my house. I will now retreat to dreamland... as I recall my adventures in the padi field as I was growing up.

The Setting Sun

2009-09-04T22:21:00.004+08:00

Humans have always been fascinated with sunrises and sunsets. What's the reason, I wonder? Is it because of the sun's rays as it casts its light onto Mother Earth? Is it because of the way shadows are formed when objects are blocking it's rays. Or is because of the warm hues of the sunlight that generates a kind of warmth that touches the humans' hearts as they view the sunrises and sunsets?

Or maybe sunrises and sunrises represent the beginning and the end of life? As the sun rises, it gives energy and food for all living things, humans and plants alike. In so doing, it gives life to all things living. As the sun shines brighter, we can witness the animals and insects get busy forraging for food for their daily sustenance. Bees getting their honey from the flowers' stigmas, ants heaving food 30 times their weight as they soldier on throughout the day, humans of every creed working hard to put food on their table, mother birds feeding their young with worms caught in the early morning, and other types of animals who regurgitate to feed their young. Life is so wonderful, isn't it?

As the day extends into the evening, the sun set represents the later stage in life. Where the young get older and the elder one expire into the netherworld. As the sun sets, it casts a warm glow on mankind before succumbing the world to nightfall. It is this warmth of light that continues to fascinate the world of humans and animals. Some may sit in their garden as they appreciate the view that the sunset provides. Animals will return to their nests as they prepare for the next day. As this warm glow continue to fade away into darkness, it represents the end of the day. Humans and animals alike would return to their respective homes and nests and seek some solace in the quiet of night.

For some, it is easy to seek solace in the quiet of night. However, for some, it could be a challenge. New mums and dads would have to take turns to feed the baby, crying out his/her longing for milk to satisfy the hunger pangs. And that is if the dad manages to wake up at all. I'm sure many of you out there can empathise with this scenario. We have gone through it before. On the other hand, some of us may be working the afternoon or starting the night shift. As the body clocks struggles to catch up with the different levels of melatonin in our body in order to synchronise the sleeping hours, the shift workers would suffer insomnia if the body clock cannot somehow adjust to the difference in light levels. And for them, sunsets would not have any meaning for them, but sunrise will.

That's life. There's the ups and there's the downs. Before the sun sets too often and we begin to take it for granted that there's always another day's sunset to catch, we'd better be sober and do our best to do all the things that we wish or hope to do or achieve, and get on achieving the dreams instead of lounging in front of the idiot box that is the bane of technology, and wasting our life away. Before the next sunset, here's another little article about life...