Random Curiosity

Easy Money!!! I could have made 1,000,000

2008-06-18T13:36:00.002+08:00

"I could have made RM1 Million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Consider this:

If you know that an announcement would be made on Wednesday that TNB rates will be revised upwards you would surely buy Tenaga shares on Tuesday. If you own an investment bank or have sufficient credit line with an Investment Bank you would have bought as much as you could knowing that the price will surely go up.

Since you have to pay within 3 days (T 3 rule), you would have planned to sell on Friday. So you could have bought 1 Million Tenaga shares on Tuesday and sold it Thursday for a cool MYR 1 Million profit without paying any money (perhaps some borrowing costs for 2-3 days).

Of course none of us are privy to the announcement of the fuel hike, but the family of the PM are privy to it.

Of course none of us have a large credit line with an Investment Bank but the family of the PM owns an investment bank.

Why the surprise announcement on 05 June when the PM has said that it would be in August? Well you can only make a big and quick profit if you control the timing and surprise others.
For those in the know (the powers that be and their cronies) this has been one hugely profitable week buying and shorting the related shares.

The poor rakyat had to battle the traffic and queued for hours just to fill up their tanks and perhaps save between MYR20-MYR50.

Just cursed yourself you are NOT the FIRST FAMILY!!"

....

Meantime people like me
Driving around in a Sunny
No money problem plenty
To save petrol, inflate tyre only
Makan Nasi dengan air curry
Kerja teruk sampai mati
Lepas itu anak ambil ganti
kerja utk kerajaan hari hari
supaya mereka hidup senang hati
terus susahkan ra'ayat dengan Islam Hadhari
tetapi sendiri tak tahu malu dalam hati
Nasihat saya...pergi Harakiri!

Oil, UMNO and Malaysian

2008-06-12T15:28:00.000+08:00

by Tulang Besi at www.malaysiawaves.com

The information about the hike in oil prices have been around for the last 6 – 8 years. In fact, as far as 6 years ago, Goldman Sachs had predicted oil prices would touch USD$100 per barrel. I fail to see any significant steps taken by Barisan Nasional in the last 4 years despite knowing that the price of oil would hit Malaysia like a bus.

Of course, Goldman Sachs has now revised their predictions to USD$200 per barrel by next year.

UMNO and BN started to reduce subsidies bit by bit right after the 2004 landslide. And they did this knowing that oil prices would touch USD$100 per barrel or more. The government also promised several initiatives in place of the reduction of subsidies.

To me, their initiatives are next to nothing. In the last 4 years, how many new LRT stations have been built? How many new buses have been introduced into the bus system? Was any system of subsidy distribution for the poor put in place by BN?

Instead, what we see is that Pak Lah had used the last 4 years to make Khairy and his people richer. During this time, UMNO, being the backbone of BN, became more and more arrogant and corrupted. There was no sign of any of the reforms promised by Pak Lah before 2004 being implemented.

All we saw was a group of people close to Pak Lah consolidating their control over UMNO and the government. As far as the impending rise in oil prices was concerned, nothing was done.

I am sure BN could have accomplished these initiatives in 4 years:

At least another 5 – 8 LRT stations or tracks could have been built;
The number of commuter trains could have been doubled;
More commuter stations could have been built;
Proper connections between the three LRT companies could have been made;
The prices of cars could have been significantly reduced;
Increased the number of cars running on NGV;
Provided 50% of petrol stations in Klang Valley with NGV;
Implemented a discount coupon system for poor and middle class families so that they can buy gasoline at a very cheap rate.

But have we or do we see any of the above being implemented? No. Instead Pak Lah and his 4^th Floor cabal went on a rampage and in the process made themselves filthy rich with various dubious deals.

UMNO, on the other hand, still maintained their hold on the country resources where the Ketua Bahagian has the final say on who or where government contracts are to be awarded, for a fee of course. This is where the country’s wealth is actually drained; it goes to a bunch of Ketua Bahagian UMNOs whose jobs are only to ensure UMNO’s hold on the Malays is never compromised.

Instead of developing a Malay entrepreneur generation, UMNO has created a group of leeches that sucks the country’s wealth into their individual pockets while serving scraps to the rest of the people.

AVERAGE PEOPLE SUPPORTING THE CORRUPTED FEW

As a result, the majority of the public, Malay or not, have to spend through their noses to maintain the elites’ way of life. In short, the UMNOPUTRAS are feeding on the majority’s suffering.

Latest figures state that oil subsidy is at 7% GDP. Without the current price rise in oil at the pumps, our country’s budget deficit will be at 6%. What is never analyzed or declared is that if the country’s finances are handled properly, the deficit does not have to be at 6% despite the subsidy being at 7% GDP or more.

The laws of supply and demand apply. Right now, demand in Malaysia is high because our public transport system is bad and our dependence on gasoline and diesel too heavy. Any effort to reduce subsidies must be along the line of reducing demand.

Another major step that the government can take is to impose a windfall tax on petroleum companies. As our petroleum is regulated, these corporations will not have the option to transfer losses due to the taxes to consumers.

In fact, the windfall tax can be applied to all commodities companies in Malaysia who are enjoying a bumper crop due to increasing international demands. This windfall tax will reduce the deficit significantly and easily swallow the subsidy spent on oil.

But, Pak Lah and UMNO cannot make such a move because these companies (Petronas, Guthrie, etc.) are UMNO’s cash cow. They provide easy cash to UMNO leaders.

As a result of UMNO’s refusal to effectively tax the “Cash Cows”, the majority of the people are not enjoying the bumper crop of the country. Instead, Petronas’ money goes to the pockets of a few and these few are living life like heaven on earth.

The picture above is just the tip of the iceberg as there are so many other sectors of our economy that the government can extract significant amounts of revenue to reduce the deficit. However, since UMNO wants to ensure that these Cash Cows are protected, they are therefore not taxed properly.

Lastly, UMNO is beyond help and must be replaced. They are no longer serving the interests of Malays or Malaysians. UMNO is a mere instrument to serve a few individuals popularly known as UMNOPUTRAS.

The rest of us Malaysians are expected to toil, suffer and strive to ensure that these UMNOPUTRAS can continue to live their lives like heaven on earth.

Tulang Besi

www.malaysiwaves.com

This blog is HARDCORE...

2008-06-12T14:59:00.002+08:00

It's been a while I had logged on the internet, checking out issues around the country, especially politics.

While browsing through m2day, I found this blog which is hardcore in slamming the govt especially AAB and his "kaum kerabat'.

Do check it out.

http://kerajaanrakyat.blogspot.com/

SHELL SRD...failed, Intel...passed!!!

2008-06-10T13:59:00.005+08:00

I've been in KL for 2 weeks after my final exam and everything. Basically, I'm there holidaying, eat 5-6 times a day, sleep and gossiping with my aunts. Also, the "white fur" came to stay overnight at my aunt's place in KL so there were a lot of 'topics' to gossip around.

Actually, I have to attend the Shell SRD for 2 days in KL.

SRD = Shell Recruitment Day, is the second and final interview process before any new hire is hired. Venue is KLCC Twin tower. It's a very tough interview which starts from 7am to 5pm and it consists of three different assignments and tasks.

1) Case study

2) Group discussion/interaction

3) Techinical skills review

1) Case study.

Given a whole stack of information consists of emails, newsletter, company reports, etc and 1 and half hour to prepare for a 5 minute presentation before Q&A for 25 minutes. That's it.

Damn hard this one!

2) Group discussion

Also given stack of info about possible company's social investment. Discuss in group of 2 then proceed with group of 4. Q&A is done in a press conference style.

This is easy, some sort like MUET speaking test. Sometimes might feel very awkward with teammate.

3) Technical Review.

Ask to elaborate on a project involves technical skill. 40 minutes of discussion and presentation.

This is also easy. Bo bun teh. In fact, I've done very very well in this.

After the SRD, need to wait 3 days. After that, got a phone call from them saying that I am unable to secure a clear hire position due to lack of confidence in my first task, the case study. Tiu Nia Seng.

What i can say is that I failed to secure the position due to unforeseen circumstances. Well, at least I got to be in KL holidaying.

.....................

Now, I was waiting for the official offer from Intel as a Process Equipment Engineer or Package FA Engineer. The interview was simple and straight to the point.

I got the offer on the same day. Its either...

1) Intel do things efficiently

2) Position is urgent to be filled

3) I've impressed the interviewer (a quite leng lui) and she wanted me to be her colleague.

Penang lang parking KANASAi

2008-05-13T01:09:00.003+08:00

Limpeh last week hua cia lok pee neeng interview, teeh it paai park cia si peh kiong kan.

Toh lok uu lang parking bo khua chia eh. Niabeh. Lu parking sui sui hor lang, lang tiok eh parking sui sui hor lu mah! Anneh kuan cin cin cai cai parking boh sar boh si, limpeh khua liao pun thor huik/auu tien.

Benz tiok bien si ah. Lang parking thit thit, lu tiok park tng tng. Lu anneh kuan park, jip pai park sar see leh wui! Sibeh kuailan. Parking coupon mah pang jit tioh nia.

Ee chit lang park noh lang eh ui, ko park tii teong eng, lim peh chia ai jip pun beh, ai cuut pun beh. Nabeh. Lu anneh kuan eh pattern limpeh jeng hu an cua tan lui? Limpeh jeng hu an cua zhor sui sui eh building? Tiong kim Pee Neeng boh simik lui ai zhor lor, state cheng huuh pun uwa liao, ka Malaysia jeng hu thor sibeh chueh lui sibeh mah huan. Federal Jeng hu ko sibeh kuai lan.

Nah si limpeh eh Datsun koh uu tee, limpeh toh lhong kau ee eh boei, cau cibai, beh kia laang tuuh lan.

We CANNOT call Malaysia a developed country..Why?

2008-05-13T00:53:00.002+08:00

1. Malaysian GDP/ capita is about 5000 USD annualy; a developed country generally has GDP/ capita between 25.000 USD to 35.000 USD per annum.... 5000 USD only? still way to go, perhaps in 500 years to come they can reach this level...

2. They have a car company: Proton... yes, but India and China also have their own car companies, more than one even...and they still called as developing countries... while many rich countries as Luxembourg, Canada, Finland, Norway, etc don't have their own car company...

3. They have sent their citizen to space...yes, but with Russian technology during joint Russian and US mission...(why there's a Malaysian in a US-Rusian mission? weird eh?)

4. They think their infrastructure is a world class... YES, they have 3rd world class infrastructure...

5. They think they have the best universities in south east asia: WRONG... recent survey (July 2007) by webometrics place Malaysian universities under Singapore, Thailand and Indonesian..

6. They think they are prosperous and GDP/capita means nothing, a bias indicator...WRONG, look at their clothes, even in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, their clothes generally are similar to the poor ones in Australia, Canada, or US..

7. They think they are generally more literate than their neighbors... WRONG, please look at bookstores in Kuala Lumpur and compare them with the ones in Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, in which the later have many many more books in their own respective language while in Malaysia few are in Malay language...book industry is flourish in Thailand, Indonesia, and Philippines, while in Malaysia they depends a lot on imported books...

8. They think they are the most cultured country in the region...WRONG: look at the pop culture of their youngsters... you'll see that Malaysia just copycat pop culture of their neighbors, mainly from Indonesia...

9. They think they are among the top tourism destination in the world... WRONG. Tourists come to Malaysia mainly are Singapore and Indonesia. Singaporeans just want to visit their families, while Indonesians want to find jobs there...

The all unique =Hokkien Lang=

2008-04-24T17:39:00.002+08:00

The Hokkiens may be the biggest Chinese dialect group in Malaysia but the fact usually goes unnoticed except for one particular night. On the 9th day of the Chinese New Year, closet Hokkiens set off the loudest bang on earth. Armed with enough firepower to upset the earth's rotation - but thankfully restrained by the law - they settle for pissing off neighbours, pets and cops.

Most outsiders, understandably, consider Cantonese as the predominant Chinese dialect of Malaysia. In reality, Hokkien is the 'lingua franca' for many Chinese in Penang, Kedah, Perlis, Perak, Kelantan, Trengganu, Malacca, Selangor and even Johor.

So how did we end up with this popular misconception?
Why pick Cantonese instead of Hokkien?

Firstly, ignorant advertisers thought only Cantonese consumers had purchasing power. It didn't help that most Hokkiens spoke Cantonese and not vice-versa. Even a lot of Hokkieners do not speak Hokkien. KaHNihNeh. You fuck them in their face without them even knows that you're fucking/puuh'ing him. This phenomena is very obvious in places such as Ipoh, and KL. It disgust me even more when they speak with stupid 'hongkong' slang as in TVB movie. Tiuniamacauhai Hamkahchan.

The Hokkiens were running away from home since the cavemen days but the first major exodus was at the turn of the last century. Many of them landed in Ma Lai Ar with only a shirt on their back. Through grit, grind and a frugal diet of chai por, a number of them became octogenarian billionaires and tan slee. Ironically, in some cases, their educated heirs reversed the hard-earned fortune almost overnight.

Hokkien descendants now had conquered the political world such as (Latuk Slee Dr Lim Keng Yaik - Gerakan, Latuk Slee Ong Ka Ting - MCA, Saudala Lim Kit Siang - DAP)

Hokkien > Malay
Beh Chia - Becha (horse carriage)
Bee Hoon - Bihun (vermicelli)
Chat - Cat (paint)
Chin Chai - Cincai (easy)
Gian - Gian (addicted)
Wa - Gua (me)
Bakkuli - Guli (marble)
Kantangchu - Kentang (potato)
Kam Chieng - Kamcheng (close)
Kau - Kau (thick)
Ker - Kuih (pastry)
Kongsi - Kongsi (share)
Kueh Chee - kuaci (melon seeds)
Lu - Lu (you)
Mi - Mee (noodles)
Pan - Papan (wood)
Sar Tay - Satay (3 pieces, from Hainanese)
Teh Kor - Teko (teapot)
Tengki - Tengki (IC)
Tau Geh - Taugeh (bean sprout)
Tao Huu - Tauhu (beancurd)
Tau keeh - Tauke (boss)

Malay > Hokkien
Agak - Agak (estimate)
Baru - Balu (recently)
Belacan - Balachian (shrimp paste)
Botak - Botak (bald)
Diam - Tiam (quiet)
Durian - Liulian (durian)
Duit - Lui (money)
Gaji - Gaji (pay)
Hutang - Otang (debt)
Jamban - Jiamban (toilet)
Kacau - Kachiau (disturb)
Kahwin - Kauin (marry)
Kaki - Kaki (own, self)
Kari - Kali (curry)
Kaya - Kayakkkk (coconut egg jam)
Lelong - Lay Long (auction)
Longkang - Long Kau (drain)
Main - Main (play)
Mana - Mana (where)
Mata Mata - Mata (cop)
Pancit - Pumchet (puncture)
Pandai - Pan Nai (clever)
Pantang - Pantang (superstitious)
Pakat - Pakat (conspire)
Pasar - Parsat (market)
Pecah - Pit Chia (break)
Roti - Loti (bread)
Samseng - Sam Seng (gangster)
Sabun - Sap Bun (soap)
Salah - Salah (wrong)
Sama - Sama (all)
Saman - Sambang (summons)
Sayang - Sayang (pity, waste)
Sekali - Skali (again)
Senang - Sinang (easy)
Senget - Senget (crooked)
Sombong - Som Bhong (unfriendly)
Sotong - Sortong (squid)
Suka- Sukak (like)
Tahan - Tahan (withstand)
Tapi - Tapi (but)
Tiga Suku - Sar Suku (crazy)
Timun - Timun (cucumber)
Tolong - Tor Long (help)

Some local Hokkien words are innocuous but may sound offensive with changing times:
Ahmad (driver)
Bang Ka Li (Sikh)
Huan Kia or Huan Na (Malay)
Kek Leng Kia (Indian)
Sakai (Orang Asli)

Others sound bizzare but are actually quite logical:
Ang Mo Liulian - (mangosteen)
Butokan - (bottle)
Chiak Hong - (eat wind > vacation)
Holland Tau (peas)
Kana Kiu - (olive ball > rugby game)
Tua Kow - Big dog (police inspector)
Ampai Tao - (police chief)

Freeze!! Police vs Ah Longs

2008-04-24T02:37:00.002+08:00

Let me ask you...if you met a 'mata' wut would you feel? Safe? Threatened? Fear?.

Well, let me ask you in another way.

Is there any difference between our PDRM and the Ah Longs?

Certainly there is...

(click on image for clearer version)

~~quoted from 2 cents~~

Space Exploration or Space Tourism??

2008-04-23T02:45:00.001+08:00

You guys knew these 2 chaps here?

Yes, they are two space idiots in which 'we' are currently referring them as 'Angkasawan'. The first person on the left is Dr.SM and the right is Dr.F. The first chap, Dr.SM actually has broke the Malaysian Book of Record by claiming the title for 'The Highest Wastage Of Malaysian Public Fund by a Civillian" and the second chap plans to surpass Dr.SM's record.

Actually it is not their fault, but when I saw these 2 HamKahCheong on the TV, news, I'm fucking pissed. It makes me mad because the first chap represent the apex of waste totalling to USD 25 Million or MYR 90 Million of the rakyat's hard earned money, burnt on a very expensive taxi ride to the outer space. KahNiNeh Tiuniamachauhai Hamkahchan. Hail! Hail! Malaysia Buuleh. Even so, the chap even think of himself as a national hero, the first malaysian to be in space and have the 'face' to go around the country, telling kids and teenagers about his awesome achievement.

Dr SM was supposed to carry out some experiments in space right? What was the result/finding? Or did he spill the specimens? We heard of nothing..absolutely nothing about the so-called experiment in which u carry out in space. (Dunno he got toss roti canai and do teh tarik or not). All he do was sucking jellies as he never sucked before and playing yoyo inside the space capsule. Malaysian might be better off by taking part in launching rockets and involves with navigation and tracking systems than to suck jellies like a space ape.

"Malaysia Boleh" = use money to buy BOLEH We better spend the money in developing engineering and hope another 50 years we are able to go on space on our own technology and become a true angkasawan. Not spend money and ask others to take you to the space. Its a "syok sendiri" syndrom lo.

Now, the government through our Minister of Science and Technology, Maximus Ong Gee Lee has announced to continue its development to send the second chap to space. Mind if I ask..What development?? Cauhai.. you just fork out rakyat's hard earned money and give it to the Russian so they will send this 'Fai Chai' to space. [Fai Cai, dun fly to space la, better roll all the way up there].

For Maximum ong gee lee, its better you send your astronaut to DAP for training free of charge. DAP is very well verse in ROCKET science.

Then the "CAN or NOT" (Astronaut in US) can join PAS for further study of the moon. This way can save gomen alot of money

Moron..

No..it won't happen, never. But u sure or not???

2008-04-20T16:39:00.003+08:00

I think all Malaysians should start really worrying now. Remember how whenever our prime minister says that something won't happen it does?

No. I will continue the crooked bridge project. Weeks later, the project got scrapped.

No. I am not going to get married so soon. Weeks later he does.

No. I will not dissolve Parliament. The next day he does.

No. That Ahmad chap will not be Menteri Besar of Terengganu. Now he is.

Hold your breath people.....in the last few days the prime minister said
.."No, the petrol price will not be increased in the near future."

~~OOH OUU~~

The Second Space Exploration

2008-04-19T21:10:00.005+08:00

Samy: I say, pak Lah, thank you very much la for inviting me to participate in this space exploration.

Lah: I don't forget old friends la Samy. The Indians may have forgotten you but not me la.

Samy: Actually DS, still got some Indians remember me la, not all have forgotten.

Lah: Yes, of course. Those who still remember you are those who hate you so much that they can't sleep as long as you are still alive.

Samy: Ayo, why say like that DS? DS, who else going ah?

Lah: Many la, almost the whole cabinet and even that idiot, your old boss. He wants first class.

Samy: He is going also ka? Why you give?

Lah: I am trying to unite UMNO members la. If I don't give, they will say I am cruel. Never mind la, I let him go. I hope that would pacify his stupid supporters. Actually that one is my seat you know?

Samy: So you not going ka? Ayo, not nice la like this DS. I think I also don't want to go la.

Lah: Are you sure? Kayveas going you know?

Samy: Apa? That idiot also going ka? Then he will say he is the first Malaysian Indian to go to space. Okay, okay I go. Please make sure my seat is in front of his so I can say I got to space first.

Lah: Sure la, your seat is in front, got view some more.

Samy: You think I can see Sungai Siput from there ka? No need la, what for want to see Sungai Siput? Those idiots kick me out already.

Lah: Actually I am quite sad you know I can't go with you all.

Samy: Yes, la DS, this is once in a lifetime experience you know? How much ah all this cost?

Lah: We have to buy another 120 Sukhoi, 200 tanks and 500 missles from Russia then only they will let us send you all there at US80 million each.

Samy: So much must spend ka? Why so expensive?

Lah: Yes, la, actually this trip is meant for Singapore, so to potong them, we have to pay a lot la. That is why your old boss wants to go because he can potong Kuan Yew's turn. He said he wants to call Kuan Yew and perli him.

Samy: Macam budak-budak only la that fellow. This one also want to race ka? Khairy going or not?

Lah: He wants to go but I said no. This is a punishment for him for getting all of us in big shit during the last election.

Samy: Good la Pak Lah. When the people know ah, they will say you are a fair man la. very good la.

Lah: They are calling for you all now. You better go or you will miss your rocket.

Samy: Okay, goodbye Pak Lah and thank you.

Lah: You are welcome. Go and have fun.

( In the rocket)

Samy: Hello, Nazri, my seat is next to you la. Look behind there, Kayveas jealous that I got a front seat next to the windows, hahahahahaha padan dia punya muka.

Nazri: Look in front there at Mahathir, jumping in his seat macam budak-budak only.

Samy: Ya la, like idiot only.

Captain: Ladies and gentlemen members of the Malaysian Space mission. We would blast off in a minute's time. Please fasten your seat belts.

Assistant Captain: Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations, we are now in space. Dinner would be served shortly. We would fly by the International Space Station in 2 hours where we will not dock with it. There is a secret Russian Space Station where you would be stationed. You are the first non-Russian to be taken to this station.

(arrive at space station)

Captain: Ladies and gentleman we have successfully docked with Mir Space Station II. Please queue up to get into the station.

Samy: Wah Nazri very nice ah this space station.

Nazri: If you think this is nice wait till you see where I bunk, first class is really nice la.

Najib: Tun isn't that our rocket that is fying out into space?

Samy: Yes, la. Why, why that fellow going away? Dia pigi taroh minyak ka Tun?

Tun: Hey Captain! Isn't that the craft we came in? Why is it flying away?

Captain: Don't you know? Yours is a one way ticket.

Samy: Then how are we going home?

Captain: Don't worry, you would be going home.

Najib: I know, I know they all surely won't do anything to us one.

Tun: When would we be going home?

Captain: As soon as your country build your own craft. That's the agreement sir.

Samy: kayveas, Kayveas, die la we all here.

Change lifestyle...from Mr.Shit

2008-04-19T14:28:00.003+08:00

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
DONT BUY NEWSPAPERS

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
TERMINATE ASTRO

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
DON'T USE MOBILE PHONES

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
DON'T USE TOLLED ROADS

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
DON'T FLY MAS

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
CYCLE TO WORK (IN PERLIS)

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
EAT BREAD AND DRINK PLAIN WATER

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
DON'T BUY PROTON

..might as well go back to stoneage...KahNiNeh

While we are all still reeling from the 30 sen increase in fuel prices and anticipating a total upheaval of our budgets, our Deputy Prime Minister in his infinite wisdom has seen it fit to ‘advise’ us on how to spend our money wisely! "..CHANGE LIFESTYLE..", he said. Mr. We’re not stupid and we’re not your little children. Now, how about you telling us in some sensible detail what YOU plan to do with the extra money? When are you going to show us in action what has been promised?

Najib said that one change in lifestyle which Malaysians had to make was to accept public transport. Accept? What the hell does that mean? That we accept that the Malaysian public transportation system SUCKS? We accepted that already that's why we have cars that consume petrol that now costs 30 sen more. When was the last time he took public transport?...HamK..C..

Does he realise that LRT’s don’t connect? Does he know that there are not enough car parks at LRT stations so that commuters can leave their cars and train it to work? Does he know that most public transport is not disabled friendly? Does he know that KL is NOT a pedestrian friendly city?Oh yes, the DPM said, “Some ministers have told me that they use the light rail transit to go for functions.” Really? What’s Najib been smoking?

Actually, The Star is full of tragically funny stories (or rather i would term as rubbish).“Don’t Raise Fares” says the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister to all commercial vehicles, public transport and lorry operators. Okay. So who's going to pay for the 30 sen increase in my fuel costs? No what the YB meant was don't increase unreasonably. Okay. Why didn't you do some homework and tell us exactly what we can raise when you announced the 30 sen hike? Would have made life easier for everyone, right? Of course, then you won't have chance to make press statement la. Too bad they didn't put your photo in the article la. Maybe save cost in printing lor.

Meanwhile, we’re also going to have to deal with KL taxi drivers and their sour faces and their “Tak mahu pegi sana. Jam la”, “Mahu pegi Puduraya dari Jalan Petaling ah? RM30.00 la. Takda meter.” Petrol and gas prices go up by 20% but their meter rate is still the same? So how to put smiles on taxi drivers faces for the tourists? Okay la, we shall think about increasing your meter rate but in the meantime you just continue fleecing tourists and pissing off locals lor.

After all, this is Malaysia, Truly Asia. What's the worse that can happen? Withdraw some more subsidy lor, got Petronas ma. Then how? Change your lifestyle la. You deaf ah?

My TAO experience (3)

2008-04-19T14:09:00.000+08:00

Duck meat and shitake mushroom, the "satay shitake" (upper left) is really really nice.

After 3++ hours, stomach almost 'pecah'...but still wanted to try out some of the dessert. U know la, pay already wor..so must eat-until-its-worth-it. Ice cream, not so good. It's not Haagen-daaz or BaskinRobin. Might be 'capalang' brand.

Fruits, watermelon. This is the actual serving size of the watermelon. On ala-carte, it cost a whalloping RM 7.00 (...kahNiNeh)

Overall, it was a fantastic experience dining at Tao.

My TAO experience (2)

2008-04-19T05:04:00.002+08:00

Main course...

Grill Scallops...!!

SuuuuuShi(s)...

My favourite, butterfly fish

... and grilled salmon

My TAO experience (1)

2008-04-19T02:46:00.000+08:00

A one-day-trip to Penang with my coursemate. After done some shopping, catch a movie and stuff, we went to have dinner at Tao Penang (e-gate). To our surprise, the food was ok, so-so nice but a bit too over salty and some even damn sweet. The restaurant serve mainly Japanese food but they have some mixed oriental dishes and western as well such as the tender lamb chop.

The environment itself inside was quite nice, with inadequate lighting to create an ambiance of romanticity. The only setback is the lack of choice for drinks available.

We chose buffet-type-eat-all-u-can package which is RM 48/pax, and there is a discount for early bird, those who arrive early (5.30-6.30pm). Quite nice deal huh..
RM 48....

Racist = Malay ruler? = WTF

2008-04-18T15:43:00.002+08:00

It was a beautiful morning as I wokeup, feeling good and everything until I checked the headlines on the internet.

WOW..a truly racist remark is being splatted out, by whom? The regent of Kelantan.

These were some of the key points in his speech

Tengku Faris: Non-Malays should not seek equality (Malaysiakini)

Malays had been coerced into giving non-Malays citizenship and the latter should therefore not seek equality or special treatment.

"Therefore, the rakyat must unite and never raise issues regarding Malay rights and special privileges because it is a quid pro quo in gratitude for the giving in of citizenship (beri-paksa kerakyatan) to 2.7 million non-Malays into the Tanah Melayu federation.

"Thus, it is not appropriate for these other ethnic groups to have citizenship, only (later) to seek equality and privileges,"

In fact, if Malay rights and special privileges are taken care of and is not disturbed, it would ensure national harmony. It does not just benefit the Malays but all ethnic groups,"

"The election results have shown that the Malays are disunited and facing other ethnic groups who are more dominant politically and economically,"

On my simple comment on these 5 racist and somewhat stupid remarks.

On (1): Very accurate statement that the non-bumi is 2nd, 3rd most probably 10th class citizen in this land in the eye of his royal highness. TNS, this royal chap think that the country is better off to have master and slave system like in prehistoric age. MCH, the country does not prosper under one race la, The other sultan, raja, the gomen, the BN, the ArmNO kept saying unity and equal treatment and yet this guy is so "special"

On (2): TNS.. u make it seems that other non-bumi rakyat does not deserve that citizenship. If te country is so damn racist, all the non-bumi would not even want it la.. And also, it is simply a non issue as it does not affect the current generation

On (3): same with (2)

On (4): You say bumi/malay should have special treatment and priviledges, and now you're saying that these will benefit all malay group? hello, r u sleeping or do u know what u yurself tokking ar not? National harmony? R u fking kidding me? Vice versa, it would be chaos in the first place

On (5): Tell me, which ethic group is more politically dominant than the malay in Malaysia?? Tell me la...tell me la...i really wanna know...

A non-racial Malaysia: Are we ready for it?

2008-04-18T15:24:00.000+08:00

There is growing belief among some Malaysians that our country is ready for non racial politics.
It seems to me that they also believe that they represent the majority in this country.
I hate to burst the bubble, but realistically, this issue will require a debate and an honest self-examination on the rakyat’s part considering the historical and cultural framework of the country to achieve an acceptable formula.
And the majority of the Malaysian electorate must be ready to give to the proposing political party the following mandate:
A two-thirds majority in parliament, because any party which intends to change the constitution must have this
The Elimination of Article 153 which defines the Malay Rights in the Constitution, and with the two-thirds majority, it gives the proposing party local standi
Ban all race based political parties and enshrine it in the Constitution
To close all the ethnic base school as non-malays accept national schools as the sole school system
But let’s be realistic. What are we going to do if we ban all race based political parties? The elimination of race based parties would create a vacuum when there will be a need for institutions will be there to cater for each races’ needs in terms of culture, religion and education.
As a mandatory precondition to achieve the above objective, we must step forward and volunteer our time and money to create more NGOs to cater for the social needs of the individual races. This model has proven somewhat successful in the United States where various Asian, Black or Latino NGOs have taken steps to address issues local to their own communities.
And let’s not start about how we need to first improve the quality of our education system.
A quick think of the situation will tell us that all this will take a lot of hard work, painful sacrifices and therefore take time to implement.
Do not get me wrong. I am all for a non racial Malaysia. And this must be the long-term target for the nation.
But we must admit that It is not possible to implement a non racial Malaysian society without equalizing the economic and social welfare of all the races in Malaysia first.
And now, to add to our woes, we are faced with the negative impact of a slowing global economy, rising prices of commodities and declining standard of living for Malaysians in general, the economic welfare of the rakyat becomes more important than the ideal of a non racial Malaysia.
It is difficult to narrow the gap in the well being of different races if the economy does not generate new wealth to be fairly distributed among the races.
So these are the medium term targets that we need to achieve:
New wealth in the economy that is fairly distributed among the races,
a world class education system that is both colour blind and economically efficient, and
new NGOs as institutions that will fill the vacuum when race based political parties are gone.
Only when Malaysia is in such a position we can truly consider to further dismantle the racial shackles that bind us.
But for the mean time, let us concentrate on pressing matters.