SG Housing Agents are Unprofessional; Crap & Dirt!

In my quest to look for a place to stay, I have encountered many agents. I have come to one conclusion, most agents, if not all, are crap! I have heard of all of this before, from others who have had bad experience with them. But dealing with them really can cause you unnecessary pain and distress.

Let me enlighten you on some. It is a booming market here in SG, whether you want to rent of buy a place. Which has probably given the agents the right to grow a nose so high that they look upon any potential home seekers as dirt.

F**k you, agents. We are the customer! We are the ones paying you to find us a place, not the other way around. BTW, here in SG, both the landlord and the rentor both pays comission to the agent! Yes, it's dumb, but that's the practice here.

I came across an ad in the papers, claiming to have rooms in certain areas, etc. I called up and he said he had no more rooms now. Ok, so I told him if he had any rooms, he could let me know. He responded rudely saying he does not have time for this and insist that I call him to find out myself. Barger! Who is the customer now? Scrap one agent of my list.

Then I decided to post online to potential landlords to contact me directly. In the end, another agent called me, at 11.10pm at nite. He called up and told me that he had a room to view NOW! He did not even introduce himself, and I was still wondering who the f**k he was. He just said that the owner is coming home at 11.30pm and ask me to go there immediately. I told him it was late but he insist I get there by 11.30pm. I told him no and he said he'll called me back. Till now, there's no call. As**ole!

When I first arrived here in SG, I was a bit surprised why every ad that I called in the papers was an agent. It seems to be a norm here in SG that nearly 99% of all potential landlords engage agents to find suitors for their unit. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can become an agent. You do not need a license or training. All you need is a unit for rent or a rentor. Then why the heck are the landlord still engaging agents?

Most agents, if not all, are independent agents. Meaning that they do not have any agency or a damn big database of customers. He could be having only ONE unit for rent, which is probably his neighbour's or his friend's. Even those that tie up with housing agents, are only for namesake, so that they have a nicer namecard! Or they can reccommend a potential rentor to another agent who has a room, whom he happened to bump into at the agency. Then they can share the commission.

When you engage an agent, what most of them do is post an ad online, at no cost (which you and I can do easily, without costs as well) or stick an ad the size of a post it note on the notice board at the bus stands. But they still prefer to engage agents. Beats the heck out of me why they do it. Maybe they feel proud that an agent got them a rentor or an agent can get them a better rentor.

Wake up landlords! Agents do not do what you can do yourself! He does not screen your potential rentors. He sends you the first person who calls him. He could be a mass murderer or the unabomber, and the agent won't even care. All he cares is his commission.

In Malaysia, if I wanted to rent my room out, I would just hang a sign in front of the house. I can post online myself as well. If I post an in the papers, it would be maybe RM20 for one whole week! It's still cheaper than paying the damn agent.

Unlike Malaysia, it is very much easier to advertise. There's more or less only 1-2 major newspapers to advertise. And there are only a few prominent websites to advertise. It is so simple my 12 year old nephew could probably get me a dozen tenants to choose from. I still cannot understand the logic in someone paying an agent in this hot market. SG landlords, wake up lar! Stop pampering the damn agents. Let them know who's boss!

Looking for a new place to stay

It happened, a tad bit earlier than I expected, my landlord asked me to move. I was already planning to move, just not this early, maybe in January 08, when I expect to have more free time.

Instead, she just dropped the bomb on us. Suddenly last weekend, after lunch, she told us she's giving us one month's notice to move out. I have no arguement, since I was not interested in staying there very much longer. But the timing is a bit out.

I am not too bothered about the reason, even though I know more or less what it was, one for pride, the other for monetary reasons.

The only thing on my mind now is to find a place to stay. The problem is I am not free this week and I will be back in Msia next week. And the subsequent weeks I will be busy. But I still have to look anyway.

Anyone out there has got a room or unit to rent, just drop me an email or you can just leave ur contact in the comments section.

Handy toys

I was in JB a couple weeks back. Came across this shop in City Square selling some really cute items. Have a look.

What do you think this is

No, it's not a flexible hand held vibrator if that's what you are thinking. But you are not too far off. It's a massager of some kind.

It's called a handi massager

What you do is u put the over your shoulder and the fist starts thumping on your back. How more lazier can you get.
What else is there? Here we have a small hand with 2 fingers sticking up showing the peace sign. You'll never guess what it is being used for.

PEACE!

It's an EYE MASSAGER! Yar! It's here. Just for massaging tiring eyes. For those of you who spend the whole day looking at the monitor, whether for work, surfing the net or surfing porn, you need not worry about tiring eyes again. Just put it under your eyes and let it massage while your colleagues look at you with envy.

The Eye Massager

Wait! There's some more. Featuring the HAND!

The HAND! Mind the turtle

Do you know what the hand does? It massages, that's right but where? On your shoulders! When you get back and feel really tired and there's no one to help, have no fear, the hand is here. Just lie down and put it on your shoulders and let if do all the work. If you don't like the idea of another hand groping you, you can always opt for the turtle.

Have someone massage ur shoulders

And finally the Flexi-Hand Massager.

They come in many colours

Wrap it around your body

Just put it around your body and let it do all the groping, errr, massaging that you want. It's flexi!
How much more innovative can they be. And to think I found this all in a TOYS store, called Action City. I think if you buy all these and combine it, it would cost less than 150 bucks, less than 10% of an OSIM Massaging Chair. Worth a buy, don't you think.

Interview with Nazri Aziz: The video clip, the walk, the panel

I was damn sleepy this morning. Actually dozed off at my desk a couple of times. I browsed throught the net looking for something interesting to read. And I found this. Actually I read this interview on Malaysia Today's website, but this link is directly to NST's website, just in case anyone is doubting the authenticity of the interview.

You really have to read the interview to know what kind of people are running the government today.

Excerpts from the interview

Q: Some 1,000-2,000 lawyers were involved in the Bar Council walk. Are you saying that that many lawyers have been misled?

A: Only 1,000 went to the ground. There are 13,000 registered members of the Bar.

Q: You don’t think 1,000 is enough?

A: 1,000 of 13,000 — is that a majority? What’s the big deal? In a democracy, the minority cannot control the majority. The minority does not speak for the majority.

Remember what he says, the minority doesn't count. Your voices are not heard. What the heck is he talking about

Q: So, if you wanted to be convinced (that there is a crisis), you would need 7,000 lawyers to walk?

A: Even then, it’s still not important to us, because the lawyers are not the only people who use the courts. The ordinary people use the court in their disputes.

It must be a majority of the population who feel that there is a crisis. Otherwise, there is nothing.

Q: So, what you are suggesting is, if people are unhappy with the judiciary, they should vote BN out?

A: Ya

Q: But what if people want a BN government, but they also want you to ensure a clean judiciary?

A: So then go talk to the judges — why talk to us? I’m the Executive. How can they ask me to sack the chief justice (CJ)?

It's telling you no matter what you do, it doesn't matter. You voted them into government, so live with it or don't vote for them.

Q: Can the commission be appointed by consensus or stakeholders?

A: Why stakeholders? Stakeholders are people too. Do you want to have an election?

You know what will happen — people will campaign to become members of the commission and then they’ll be compromised, because they want to be chosen by the people.

And then the judges will have to kow tim (settle) with them again — it’s the same thing.

Are we to change just because 1,000 lawyers are unhappy? The Constitution must be amended by two-thirds of MPs; and the two-thirds represent the majority of the people.

If we MPs are not convinced, how can we amend the Constitution? We can’t listen to the views of just 1,000 lawyers. Since when was the view of 1,000 lawyers more important than that of the 11 million who voted for us?

Lawyers are not the only stakeholders. It is also the people in the streets — they are the ones who go to court.

Q: So, you don’t think it’s important to try to address the worries of these people?

A: No. It’s not important. Why do you put so much importance on bloggers? You know what rubbish has been written in the blogs?

He said it again. Your views and mine are not important. I am getting nauseous.

Q: Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan said the reason they walked was that they felt all their appeals were falling on deaf ears.

A: It will fall on deafer ears, I can tell you.

Q: The Bar Council claims that they have never been able to get an appointment with the CJ.

A: He’s retiring anyway.

I told them, “Fairuz is also a human being. Kalau you criticise, criticise, criticise dia — dia mana mau layan you.” (If you keep criticising him, he won’t entertain you).

I can get a lot of things out of you if I talk to you nicely, but if I start shouting at you, do you think you will accommodate me? No way!

Huh? What is he talking about? He's the facto law minister. OMG! He's an actual minister in government!

Q: But you are more than an ordinary person. You are also the de facto law minister.

A: But you cannot divorce me from the fact that I am also a human being.

Q: That’s very irresponsible.

A: Human beings, there are ways, how you do it. You want something, you talk. You don’t shout, and then expect to get something, no way.

Q: What if the video clip is genuine, but the person doesn’t want to come forward?

A: That’s not our problem. We have already set up the panel, it’s for them.

So what is his role as a minister? Give lame answers for interviews? I just lost my appetite.

First Malaysian sub launched

Malaysia's first submarine

Early in the morning I saw in the Star, First Malaysian sub launched. I thought, "Wow! Malaysia really did it! Malaysia built their own submarine! Malaysia Boleh!"

It was going through my mind which company did it. DRB Hicom? Proton? Perodua? Then I continue to read the article. It seems it is one of two submarines we bought from Russia. We ordered it in 2002 and after 5 whole years do we only get it. What a ripoff!

Perhaps the headline is too misleading. It should not be First Malaysian sub launched. It should me First Malaysian Sub Bought, launched. I think I may just go and buy something Malaysian haven't got yet, and call it Malaysia's first. Maybe I can get into the book of records. Malaysia Boleh!

Owww, my neck hurts like hell.

Yesterday on the way to work, it was raining, coincidently I forgot to bring my umbrella. So as I was running to the bus stand, I slipped and fell flat on my back. A minor gash on my left hand (got bleeding lar). But my neck hurts like mad. It hurts when I move my head, in any direction!

Went to the panel doctor to treat the neck. Wanted to get some pain killers and muscle relaxant. Instead the doctor treat the gash on my hand. She actually bandaged it! In Malaysia, a doctor would just wash it and ask you to go home.

Anyway, the nice doctor even gave me a tetanus jab! And all I needed was probably some paracetamol and muscle relaxant. She was even nice enough to give a MC. At first, like a hero, I told her I did not need a MC. But she gave me anyway.

Was still contemplating whether I should take the rest of the day off, which I did in the end, luckily. By the time I got home, my neck was hurting even more! I could not move my head at all! I think my shoulders are swollen and I had problems even lying down. So I doubled my dose of painkillers. Slept almost the whole day.

It still hurts. And I am at work. Barger! Should have asked for one more day MC. Owwwwww! It's still hurting. Think I'll take some more painkillers ...

The Iceman Cometh - Raikkonen wins!

A fitting end to a great season of Formula 1 racing. It's been awhile since the title have gone down the wire till the last race of the season. Finally, the driver many claimed as "nearly there" won the Driver's Championship on the final race. I believe that the best and deserved driver won.

A close race to the end. Kimi with 110 pts to take the crown. Hamilton & Alonso 109 pts each, but Hamilton came in 2nd, because he won more 2nd places than Alonso. Truly fitting, with the rookie upstaging the crybaby.

Even till the end, there is still controversy with BMW and Williams having irregularities in car fuel. McLaren is still appealling. Frankly, I believe Kimi deserves the crown.

The flying Finn have finally won it. Go Kimi!

Wah! We are now a space power

An analysis in the Star on our "space programme." I can only say, my thoughts exactly.

Wah! We are now a space power

ANALYSIS BY AZMI SHAROM

YOU might not know this, but there have been a lot of unhappy rumblings in Malaysian society regarding our space programme.

Actually, that is not accurate. We don’t really have a “space programme”, do we? After all, it’s not like we are pushing the technological frontiers and designing cutting-edge manned spacecraft.

No, to be more precise, we have an astronaut-training programme. Whoa, whoa, that is not true either. We didn’t train anyone; we paid the Russians to train our astronaut.

Oh, blow it all. That is still wrong. He is not an astronaut; he is a cosmonaut. The terms, according to Nasa, mean different things but, according to the Russians (and us), they mean the same thing.

Oh, this is all so confusing. All right, all right, let us start over again.

You might not know this, but there have been a lot of unhappy rumblings in Malaysian society regarding our paying the Russians buckets of money – the amount of which the Malaysian public is not 100% sure about – to train a bloke to be a spaceman (as accurate a definition I can think of, because he is a man and he is in space).

Yes, it is true. This wonderful achievement of the country – to find a handsome, clean-cut, healthy, intelligent fellow and pay someone else to get him into space – is being sneered at in some cynical quarters.

If you happen to be one of those people, I say to you: tsk, tsk, tsk. Where is your sense of patriotism? Where is your child-like optimism?

Going into space is a big deal. Just ask Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth, two space tourists who did not have the luxury of buying Russian jet fighters to contra the costs of their cosmic flights. Coincidentally, one of the nasty things people are calling our Malaysian spaceman is “space tourist”.

For your information, unlike the two gentlemen mentioned above, our spaceman is not a tourist. No, no, no. He is going to do experiments, important experiments.

Apart from important experiments, he is going to be doing so much good in other ways. For example, he has opened the doors of opportunity for ordinary Malaysians. One of these days, I might go to space. To conduct experiments.

Don’t laugh because it is possible, for if the good doctor has proven anything, it is that if the Government is willing to spend a bit of money, anyone can go to space. Kind of like a galactic AirAsia.

Let us not forget all those little schoolchildren who are being inspired as you read this. They are going to know that Malaysia Boleh.

We can do all sorts of things. We are now a space power!

The next time their school computer lab collapses, or their teachers get demoralised due to poor pay, they can tell themselves that it all does not matter because we are a space power!

Last but not least, the spaceman is going to land on earth brimming with new scientific know-how. I am sure he will be able to use this newfound knowledge to help the country.

There is a great deal of high-tech equipment around that keeps malfunctioning. The traffic lights on Jalan Universiti, Kuala Lumpur, used to have a countdown, but it doesn’t work now.

And all that experience with space station to earth video conferencing will come in mighty useful in Dataran Merdeka, where the super high-tech giant TV screen broke down just when eager patriotic Malaysians gathered to watch the Soyuz rocket blast off.

So, all you naysayer types are very wrong and misguided. You should be like me and embrace our spaceman programme. Sit back and think of the glory that is “Malaysia the Space Power” while you unwrap a Raya ketupat.

Wait a minute; that is a great idea for a space experiment. How does unwrapping Raya ketupats fare in zero gravity ??

Dr Azmi Sharom is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya.

Electoral roll is ‘clean’

This was in the Star.

Electoral roll is ‘clean’

THE Election Commission has assured that the electoral roll in the next polls is clean, Berita Harian reported.

Its secretary Datuk Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor said that throughout the year, the commission had inspected and cleaned up the electoral roll.

Earlier, it was reported that some assistant registration officers had without authorisation allegedly moved the names of voters to other areas.

He added that the inspection and verification of names and other details were transparent.

The primary electoral roll had a list of voters verified earlier this year while additional electoral rolls contained the list of newly registered voters and those who had their addresses changed.

This statement is probably as synonymous as Nazri saying there's a witness protection program.

Points to ponder 2 - Globalisation

I just came out from a meeting. The meeting was attended by 2 Japanese, 1 Australian, 2 Malaysian, 1 Indian, 1 Singaporean; about a job in Singapore done by Japanese, Singaporeans, Australian, Malaysians, Thais, Bangladeshis, Chinese and Indians.

I wonder is that globalisation ...

Points to ponder 1

Was chatting with a client of mine over dinner a couple of months back. He was telling us that he was an avid diver. For holidays, he goes diving at diving spots around the world.

It just occurred to me today, we were in a meeting today; that even though he goes outdoors for diving, his skin is so fair it even puts Snow White to shame. How is it that some people can hang out in the sun so much and still manage to keep their skin so fair?

Another mishap, another case of evading responsibility

Last weekend, a ferry heading for Pulau Tioman caught fire; in the end, four lives were claimed. Instead of working to mitigate problems of this happening again, our marine department has moved quickly to claim that the ferry had no license, this and that.

I am really surprised at the speed that department has moved to clear its name and responsibility of the incident at hand. Frankly, I am kinda fedup.

A few months ago, when an accident involving an express bus claimed lives and raised questions, another department moved quick to claim that the bus driver had numerous summons, bad records, etc. Immediately, it would seem that the whole responsibility of the tragedy fell on the driver and the bus company.

Is that how it should be? Frankly, the main bulk of the responsibility is on the relevant departments. The attention was shifted to why did the bus company allow such a driver to operate a bus or why the ferry company still ran the ferry services.

The real question should be why are the departments allowing bus drivers like that (if it is true of the charges at all) to be operating and why has the marine department not clamped down on such illegal operations (if it really has no license in the first place)?

Do not wait for a tragedy to happen to start doing your job. You are being paid to look after the safety of the public. It is not your job to only investigate accidents; but to mitigate and prevent accidents. Do not look for others to blame, look at your own faults and improve. Remember, I am not asking, I am telling you it's your job!

A lesson in Bahasa Malaysia

I could remember vaguely when I was still in school and learning Bahasa Malaysia. One word that I remember learning was the word 'angkasawan'.

Strangely, I recalled that the word angkasawan directly translated to English was astronaut. Of course at that time, there were not too many words that we analysed deepy. We were just too busy remembering words to pass exams.

An angkasawan or an astronaut?

Lately, I just found out that angkasawan may have another meaning. It can be translated into "space flight participant" or "space traveller". Actually if you look at the word angkasawan properly, they are not way off either. Angkasawan is derived from the word angkasa, which means space. So an angkasawan could be a person who travels in/to space; or just goes to space; or studies space. So, it's still politically correct to name our space traveller an angkasawan.

What is the difference between an astronaut and a space flight participant? Well, maybe there's no difference, or maybe an astronaut could be someone who job is actually trained to fly to space; or someone who pilots the shuttle; or someone who does actual space studies. Maybe English and Bahasa Malaysia may differ slghtly in translation.

Selamat Hari Raya

It's a few more hours till Hari Raya. Let me take this opportunity to wish all muslim friends, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Food for thoughts

Duh! I don't need to be an expert to know that
No wonder they told me not to drink before the trip
How much for the other half?

Hmmm, looks familiar.

Maybe they sell bibles

Malaysian in Space

Today Malaysia will make history; to have the first Malaysian in space. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will become the first Malaysian to go to space on board the Russian Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft. The launch is scheduled at 9.22pm (Malaysian time).

It is said that the good doctor will be celebrating raya in space and having satay & kuih. Probably a first for that. Most importantly, he will be doing some research up there. Please take this opportunity to engage in something more fruitful.

According to the Star, Malaysia is paying for the voyage as part of a billion-dollar purchase of Russian fighter jets. If it is a buy some jets, free one ride to space, then it is quite ok.

But if we are paying millions to send someone to space because some country has done it, we must do it also; then I say it's a waste of good money. Scientists are going to space to do some actual research and studies for the future. We should not be sending someone up just for the sake of sending someone; then while he's there, let him do some research.

It's not that much of a matter of face. Sure, there are some billionaires that paid millions to go to space, maybe as a holiday. Is that what we are doing? Sending someone up for a million dollar holiday trip?

Why? So that we can say proudly, "We sent someone to space." USA did it 30 years ago. I rather we sent someone up because we deserve to send someone up and we do some actual contribution to the research and development of space exploration.

Anyway, it's still an achievement. All the best to our angkasawan, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar. Make Malaysia proud.

Chia: Don’t view blogs as threats

Another article in the news about blogs. (Source : The Star)

Chia: Don’t view blogs as threats
By DAVID TAN
PENANG: Citizen journalism in the form of blogs should not be viewed as a threat to the Government.

Deputy Information Minister Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said that citizen journalism through blogs presented an opportunity rather than a threat.

“Blogs provide a valuable feedback mechanism for the Government. Such feedback provides useful checks and balances and helps the Government to improve its delivery services,” he said.

Chia said that like conventional journalists, bloggers should conform to ethical standards practised in the world of professional journalism.

“This is to ensure that its contents comply with Malaysia’s laws and are credible,” he said in an interview.

Chia will speak on the Media’s Role in The Digital Era at the MSC Malaysia Cybercity Conference, which will be held on Oct 23 and 24.

He said there were about 70 million bloggers’ websites out of the three billion websites available in the cyber world now.

“There are approximately 1.4 blogs being created every second on a daily basis. For this reason, it is very difficult for the authorities to monitor and track consistently those websites that spread rumours and falsehoods,” he said.

Chia said that Internet users must therefore adopt a critical attitude towards the content of the digital media.

“While digital media has been used for the greater good to promote e-banking, e-government, and on-line shopping to improve delivery system, it has also been frequently used negatively to spread rumours and unreliable information.”

However, there were presently adequate laws, such as the Communications & Multimedia Act of 1998, to regulate digital media, he said.

“The law allows for the relevant authorities, such as the internet service providers and the police, to work together to prevent any cyber activity that contravenes the laws of the country,” he said.

Singapore Straits Times deputy editor Felix Soh who will speak on the same topic at the conference, said the Singaporean authorities were quick to act against those responsible for initiating provocative discussions on politics, race, religion, and language on the net.

“This is because the Singaporean authorities have very clear cut guidelines on such issues. For example, only members of political parties can initiate political debates,” he said.

OMG. Am I a threat? I never expected that. The government should take blogs constructively. They have a real chance to be close to the people and understand what we want. Embrace the people's opinions if you really wants to please us.

What happened to asking the people to speak up? What happened to "'Tell the truth even if it's painful"? Well, many blogs are feelings of the people.

Many parties may view it as a threat as it is an uncontrolled mass media. They have no power over what the bloggers say or write. Those with much to hide or scared of the truth may view blogs as keys to the skeletons in their closets.

As to whether blogs are written mostly by unemployed women. Well ..., I am most definitely not a woman, and I do have a job, as do most of the bloggers that I know (has a job, of course).

No Witness Protection Act, say Bar Council, Param

This was in the Sun paper today. The online link.

No Witness Protection Act, say Bar Council, Param
Giam Say Khoon
PETALING JAYA (Oct 8, 2007): What Witness Protection Act? That was the question the legal fraternity was asking Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz today.
Nazri had mentioned the "Act" yesterday when he said the person who took the controversial video clip of a lawyer’s phone conversation with a "Datuk" would be given full protection, including, possibly, a new identity.

The Bar Council said there is no such legislation. Its president, Ambiga Sreenevasan, said the council had never heard of such an Act on witness protection and even if there is one, it did not know its scope.

"Although Section 53 of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 provides some form of protection, it is not to the extent mentioned by the minister," she told theSun.

According to the Anti-Corruption Act, the identity of the person who provided information to the Anti-Corruption Agency shall be a secret between the officer who made the complaint and the person who gave the information, and everything contained in such information, the identity of the person who gave the information and all other circumstances relating to the information, including the place where it was given, shall not be disclosed or be ordered or required to be disclosed in any civil, criminal or other proceedings in any court, tribunal or other authority.

Asked whether there is a witness protection programme in the country, Ambiga said there is none. However, she said it was within the jurisdiction of the police to protect a witness like what was done in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.

She said the council welcomed the enactment of such a law so that it will encourage honest people to come forward with information on a wrongdoing.

Nazri had said yesterday the source of the video clip could be given a new identity or undergo surgery to be given a new face under the Witness Protection Act.

Former United Nations special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Datuk Param Cumaraswamy said in a statement Parliament had only passed the Evidence of Child Witness Act, making provisions relating to the giving of evidence by child witnesses this year.

"I hope Nazri is not confused with the Act. As a de facto minister for law, he should exercise caution and check his facts before making public statements. Incorrect statements such as this could embarass the government," he said.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also said she was mystified when Nazri made the statement as the legal division in parliament has confirmed that no such Bill had been tabled for a first reading in the lower house.

What I meant: Nazri

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz agreed that a Witness Protection Act did not exist in Malaysia. He said he had got his press secretary to inform the press to correct his statement on Sunday but it was not done.

"The government is looking to enact a law to protect whistle-blowers, there is a need for such a law," he said in a phone interview.

Nazri said when he spoke to reporters on Sunday, he was referring to all available Acts in the country that offered some protection to witnesses, like the Anti-Corruption Act, Criminal Procedure Code, Evidence of Child Witness Act and Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act.

He said he had asked his press secretary to inform the press to clarify his statement, but no clarification has been made.

In 2002, former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim had said a witness protection scheme would be introduced to assist Malaysia’s effort to combat terrorism.

In August this year, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan also called for a Witness Protection Act to shield those who help in police investigations or testify in criminal cases.

It is really surprising to hear a Minister, especially one who is supposedly the de-facto "Law Minister", make a statement without getting the facts right. When someone clarifies the situation, the blame is passed on to the press secretary. Whether it was his own words or really misquoted, probably only he will know.

But real damage could be done if the wrong message is conveyed. Sometimes it's better to get your facts straight before making a statement, especially if your words have a level of authority.

Khairy: We have not lost the Chinese vote

This article was on the frontpage of the Today newspaper in SG today. The online link is here.

Khairy: We have not lost the Chinese vote
Key to the future is how to strengthen Malaysian identity
Nazry Bahrawi
nazry@mediacorp.com.sg

DESPITE lacklustre support from the Chinese community in the last two by-elections, Malaysia's ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) is confident that it is not losing the backing of the Chinese electorate.
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There were issues that have caused Chinese Malaysians to harbour some unhappiness, admitted rising political star Khairy Jamaluddin, deputy chief of United Malay National Organisation (Umno) Youth, and son- in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
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These issues — and there were a lot of them at the local and national level — have probably been politicised and blown out of proportion, and they may have somewhat affected the sentiments of the Chinese community, he told Today in an exclusive interview.
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"But to say that we have lost a lot of support from the Chinese community — I don't think that is true," said Mr Khairy, speaking over the weekend on the sidelines of the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit organised by the New York-based Asia Society.
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Despite winning the recent by-elections in Ijok, Selangor, and Machap, Malacca, the performance of the coalition showed a decline in Chinese support.
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In the hotly-contested Ijok by-elections in April, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), a partner of the coalition, managed to net less than half of the Chinese voters.
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And in Machap, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) — BN's Chinese partner — saw its majority lopped off by nearly 500 votes compared to its performance in the 2004 general election.
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Could these setbacks be traced to Malay-sia's controversial affirmative action economic policy, previously known as the New Economic Policy (NEP), which targets a 30 per cent share of the economy for the Malays or bumiputeras (sons of the soil)?
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Mr Khairy defended the retention of the NEP-type policies.
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"Distribution of wealth made possible under these policies is crucial not only for the bumiputeras who are doing badly but also for those non-bumiputeras who are still suffering from poverty and do not have educational opportunities," he said.
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But the Government has lifted the constraints of this policy in initiatives where it was trying to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs).
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He cited Southern Johor's economic corridor — the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) — where investors in industries such as logistics and tourism are exempt from the bumiputera policy.
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Official statistics justified the retention of the policy, he said.
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"If you look at broad-based numbers, with regard to education attainment and income disparity, the numbers show a marked gulf between bumiputeras and non-bumiputeras," he said, with the latter much better off than the former.
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"Certain people" would therefore require "certain advantages" in education, poverty alleviation and in the start-up of, for example, small businesses, said Mr Khairy.
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But Malaysia was also looking into disparity within the other ethnic communities to ensure that no one is "left behind". And BN was making good progress, especially in the area of economic development.
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Will BN perform well in the upcoming elections? Yes, if it can deliver on the promises of the last general election, especially in meeting basic needs such as school upgrading and improving the education system.
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Mr Khairy, who has been widely credited with directing the BN campaign strategy which swept Mr Badawi to a landslide victory in the last elections, brushed aside suggestions that the opposition had made progress since then.
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"I would argue that the opposition today is not as focused, not as ideologically driven and not as cohesive as when the Pas (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) was leading the charge (from 1999 to 2004)," he said, in an allusion to former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto leader of opposition party Keadilan today.
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Looking to the future, he said that the issue of race relations remains a challenge for Malaysia, an issue which would have to be tackled with "maturity" and a "deft touch" especially with younger Malaysians.
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"I think the younger generation ... wants to talk about more things than the older generation. We have less baggage I suppose in that sense," he said but warned that as always, it would be best to tread carefully when discussing race as it can "stir up emotions".
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"I am not saying that we can't talk about it. We can. But we must do it in an atmosphere of utmost sincerity and openness," he said.
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And even when promoting racial unity, Mr Khairy stressed that the Government will not ignore the uniqueness of different races.
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"We are not going to make you say you're Malaysian and forget about the fact that you are Malay or Chinese. That is ridiculous," he said.
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"The success of Malaysia comes from the fact that we have our own heritage. The trick is how to work together — to strengthen the Malaysian identity. To me, that is going to be the key to the future."

It came of a surprise that this interview as on the front page, especially here in SG. Here we have a non-MP & non-government official clarifying on the racial matter in Malaysia. Is he speaking as UMNO Youth Deputy Chief or PM's son-in-law?

From the looks of things, it looks as if the imminent general elections will be kicking off soon. The signs are there. First a speech by our PM. Now his son-in-law. Painting a rosy picture? Or trying to win confidence?

...These issues ... have probably been politicised and blown out of proportion, and they may have somewhat affected the sentiments of the Chinese community ...

Trying to calm things down or just damage control?

... Mr Khairy defended the retention of the NEP-type policies ... But the Government has lifted the constraints of this policy in initiatives where it was trying to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) ...

Somehow these statements seems contradicting to me. I could be wrong.

..."But Malaysia was also looking into disparity within the other ethnic communities to ensure that no one is "left behind". And BN was making good progress, especially in the area of economic development. " ...

... "I am not saying that we can't talk about it. We can. But we must do it in an atmosphere of utmost sincerity and openness," he said ...

...And even when promoting racial unity, Mr Khairy stressed that the Government will not ignore the uniqueness of different races...

..."The success of Malaysia comes from the fact that we have our own heritage. The trick is how to work together — to strengthen the Malaysian identity. To me, that is going to be the key to the future. " ...

Honesty? Or just putting another show to the world? Somehow, we can't help but hope that there is an ounce of truth in that.

I am not a pessimist. I am a true believer. One that believes there is hope. Hope for ONE country. Hope for ONE nation. Hope for ONE Malaysian race.

I passed my Basic Theory Test for Driving!

I passed! I passed! Yesterday I went to take the Basic Theory Test for driving in SG. If you have a Msian driving license, you can still drive SG, provided you have not worked more than 6 months.

I've been here for a year, which makes me illegible. So, I needed to convert my Msian drving license to a SG driving license. All I need to do, was to take a Basic Theory Test, which is similar to MY's Undang-undang Jalan Test.

Here in SG, you are not required to go for any courses; you can, if you want (don't waste your money). All you need to do is buy the book for SGD3.00 and you can self-study. They even sell question and answers books(past years questions, no doubt) for you to practice (it's like taking my SPM exam).

Anyway, it's a paperless EXAM. You do the EXAM on a touch screen monitor. You answer 50 questions in 50 minutes. You need to get minimum 45 correct answers. It's conducted in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil, whichever you prefer. Once you have completed, the monitor tells you immediately if you pass or fail.

I have not gotten the license yet. I still need to go to JPJ (MY) to get a letter and go to the SG's traffic police counter to get the license.

Oh yeah, in case you were wondering, NO, I am not buying a car. Just getting the license just in case I need to drive.

Abdullah on the painful truth

This article was in the Today's paper in SG today. The online link.

Abdullah on the painful truth
Take an honest
look at race and religion issues: M'sian PM

KUALA LUMPUR
— Religious and racial divisions have brought Malaysia to the "brink of disaster" in the past and continue to hamper its growth, the country's Premier said in reports published yesterday.
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Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi spoke of the need to confront racial and religious issues in Malaysia in a serious and honest manner.
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About 60 per cent of the nation's 27 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims. The rest are mostly Buddhist, Hindu or Christian Chinese and Indians.
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"We do not want to pretend and say everything is okay. We do not want to be in a state of denial. Tell the truth even if it is painful," he was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying.
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Fifty years after independence, Mr Abdullah said race and religion continue to be hot issues "which we have to manage all the time", The Star quoted him as saying.
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"We have been solving one racial issue after another. We have even been on the brink of disaster," he added, referring to 1969 clashes between majority Malays and the minority Chinese community, in which many were killed. Since then the country has been largely peaceful.
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"People tell me: 'It's nothing. Don't worry, Pak Lah. Everything's okay.' But the more people tell me not to worry, the more I worry. Because some people just say that to reassure me," Mr Abdullah, referring to himself by his popular moniker, was quoted by The Star as saying.
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"But I say: 'Tell the truth even if it's painful.'"
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Mr Abdullah also noted the presence of a "disappointing" mindset with regards to racial and religious issues in Malaysia.
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"It is regretful how readily and very quickly we respond to what we see as a racial or religious issue," he said, adding that both political parties and the public behaved in this way.
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Mr Abdullah was speaking at the National Delegates Conference of Gerakan, a multi-racial party dominated by Chinese members. Gerakan is a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
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Malaysian commentators have sounded the alarm over the growing "Islamisation" of the country and the increasing polarisation of the three main ethnic communities, who mingle much less than they once did.
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Many of Malaysia's Chinese minority believe the government's economic policy discriminates against them in favour of the Malay majority. — AFP

Made 4 years ago after he was elected. Now said again just before the elections. An act of virtue or another move to garner votes? Do I choose to believe or maybe it's the truth? Am I naive? Or am I too pessimistic? Time will tell.

Some signs that are too good to miss

Some really great signs that makes you think.

At least the asked politely

10 points for honesty

A very helpful sign

Errr, how many hours in a day?

I didn't know that ...

I guess the roaches don't smoke

Nice NEW name

Sleepy Thursday morning; Liverpool lost to Marseille

Feeling really sleepy now. What to do? Slept at 5am yesterday and woke up at 7am. 2 hours of beauty sleep. Had to drag my reluctant body out of bed and to work. It was still sleeping in the MRT.

The reason I slept late was due to work (meeting today; have to finish up some stuff) and watching football. The worst part of it is that I stayed up late to watch the game and Liverpool lost 1-0, at home!

For most of the game, Liverpool played really bad! They were the home team and they were not dominating; giving the ball away too easily. It was only after Marseille had scored that they started to look lively. The last 15 minutes were really frantic. If Liverpool played the game like the last 15 mins, they would have won by 3-0 at least.

Lunch time soon. Grab a quick bite and then try to catch a few minutes of shut-eye.

Visit Malaysia 2007

I was browsing through the Star online website this morning. I accidentally clicked on one of the contest links on the side bar (it's stated All Malaysian Bloggers Project).

The website that appeared came to a surprise to me. At the first glance, I was still stunned and was wondering what the heck did I just click on. Have a look for yourselves.

What a way to promote Visit Malaysia 2007

What do you see? My impression is that it is Visit Malaysia year 2007. Come to Malaysia and see the skin walkers. From the picture, you can tell immediately skin walkers are people with damn sharp fangs or teeth. Most probably you will end up as food to them.

The tagline is even better. "For them to live, we must die." So come to Malaysia and die or be eaten. You die so that they can live. Save the skin walkers, sacrifice yourselves. Foreigners are probably thinking there are skin walkers in our rain forest. What an ad!

Here's the link.

Someone should actually look at the webpage before publishing it on the net. I blame it on advertisers running too many ads on the page just for the sake of money. Please don't give the wrong impression. I don't want to die or be eaten.

Check your blood pressure

The last time I was back in Malaysia, I checked by blood pressure (I have the equipment at home). At that time, I registered a rather reading on the high side. My mom said it could be because I had been running around the whole day.

I did not want to take things for granted. So I wanted to go for a check up when I got back to SG (coz medical's covered by the company in SG). It just so happens that when I got back, I came upon a demonstration in a shopping mall to check blood pressure.

Check what your level is

If it's free, you gotta queue

They were selling this machine where you put your arm in and the machines reads your blood pressure. The machine's rather bulky as you can see, and it's not cheap as well. That's why there is another smaller handheld version for roughly half the price.

But the machine's not the key topic here. Luckily my reading was still normal, 120/80. Made me feel relieved. Otherwise, I would have to watch my diet, sleep earlier and exercise more. That's another issue.

A few word of advice to all of you. With the pressure of work and the lifestyle we live (mostly because we eat too much and exercise too little), some of us may have high blood pressure, but we may not even know it. Some of us may have hypertension. It don't matter whether you are 20, 30 or even 50.

I suggest that once in awhile, we should check our blood pressure. You may go to the clinic and ask the doctor to measure (if your company covers the bill). Otherwise you can buy a handheld machine and try it at home. You can probably get a cheap one for less than RM100.

Or you can go to the shopping malls and see if there's any demonstration and you can try it for free. You may try out the Osim or Ogawa shops, I think they have the equipment, and they would probably be willing to help, if you tell them you are interested in a machine of theirs.

Honestly, look after yourselves. Still watch your diet. Stop watching so much TV or reading too much blogs. Get your big fat a** up and do some exercise.

Donut Factory

One thing I have learnt in Singapore is that where ever there is good food, people will queue for it, no matter how long. There is a new crave in Singapore, for donuts. And there is one leader in this new craze called Donut Factory. I think there are 2 branches in SG, Raffle's City and Suntec City.

Donut Factory Outlet

Let me share my experience with you. I came upon it by chance in Raffle's City. The first time I was there was at 7pm, there were 2 long queues. I was thinking, "What the heck are these people queueing for? Free food?"

The 2nd time I was there, it was 6.30pm, I tried to queue, at the persistence of my wife of course. But was told the queue was closed (luckily).

The 3rd time, at the persistence of my wife again, I went there after work. Arrived at 6.00pm, I went straight to the queue. The queue was not too long, so I thought "Great, I arrived early." Suddenly, a girl came up to me and said, "I'm sorry sir. The queue closed 30 mins ago."

"What! It's only 6pm and they close at 9pm." I thought.

Anyway, I left and passed by around 8pm. The queue was still there!!! People had been queueing for 2 hours!, for donuts!!!

Another time, I was there during the weekend. Arrived at 10am this time. There was already a queue, but the shop was not open yet! I found out the shop opens at 11.30am. So I came back at 11.45am just to see how the queue was. OMG!!! There were 3 queues!!! Can you imagine!

Anyway, on Saturday, I came upon this branch in Suntec City and was explaining the situation to Douglas, when suddenly my wife said, "Hey, the queue is not long here, why don't you queue?" Great suggestion.

It starts here

The queue in front of me (trust me, this is short)

The queue in front of the shop

At last, after half an hour of queueing, it was my turn. Luckily I started early. The queue got longer by the minute. Anyway, got half a dozen donuts, all with different toppings and fillings, for SGD7.00. I queued 30mins for 6 donuts. That's 5mins per donut.

Anyway, we passed by again an hour later. The queue was still there. In cantonese, there is a saying, They have never eaten donuts in their previous life (Chin Sai Mei Sik Ko Donut).

These people must really like donuts

Well, we stuffed ourselves with the donuts just before dinner. TBH, the donuts were good, really good. The dough was easy to bite and not powdery. A few bites and you swallow it easily. Donuts made to perfection. Reccommended for donut lovers.

But if you ask me to queue for 30mins again, I'll say never mind.

Lower speed limits on federal and state roads

Somehow, they have done it again. In anticipation of the raya holidays and the current issue of accidents on the road, the transport ministry has come out with a new ruling. (source : The Star)

"The speed limit on federal and state roads will be reduced from 90kph to 80kph for 36 days effective Oct 6"

Is reducing the speed limit actually the solution to the problem? I am sure that reducing 10kph would help some what, but are we actually tackling the main cause.

Firstly, the roads are designed for the speed of 90kph, otherwise why in the first place is the speed limit 90kph. Secondly, how many accidents occured because motorist were speeding at 90kph. If motorist speeding at 90kph is the problem, then why was the speed limit 90kph in the first place again. Somehow this does not make too much sense.

This has been an ongoing issue and a big problem for such a long time. Almost every festive season, there are numerous operations undertaken to curb this problem and lower accidents rates. But over these years, have we solved the problem? and why have we not solved the problem yet?

Are we actually looking deep into the problem or are we just scratching the surface? Taking action like lowering the speed limit by 10kph or deploying police personnel to "monitor" is NOT the solution. We need to start looking deep into the problem at hand. Analyse what is the root cause of the problem and try to mitigate it.

Probably I am being too judgemental. Perhaps I am not the expert. Perhaps the ministry knows more. If so, why don't the ministry do something that's more effective? Lives are at stakes. If there's a problem, fix it. Do not wait for a tragedy to happen before taking action. Haven't we learned from that?

As a Malaysian, I want the comfort in knowing that everytime I go back home in Malaysia, I know I will arrive home safe and sound. I don't want to have to worry about unqualified bus drivers, mat rempits, unsafe roads, not-up-to-par vehicles or even someone waiting for someone else to buy him a cup of coffee.

My new antivirus

My anti-virus software is expiring this month. It means the software is not going to have live update of the new viruses. Why in the world must these software have to be renewed every year, apart of cheating us of more money?

Anyway, as I start on my search for a new antivirus (my current one is taking up too much memory), I asked a friend of mine for advice. He explained that there are too many in the market.

So I told him, I wanted the cheapest and the best.

He told me he's got one, that's foolproof and the cheapest.

This is what he reccommended ...

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The cheapest anti virus

Mooncake Festival Funfair

What has Mr. Bean got to do with Mid Autumn festival

Ian brought us to a funfair last week in Bishan. I think it was in conjunction with the mooncake festival (the funfair of course). Anyway, it was a small funfair, more to cater for the young kids. The highlights include.

The world's smallest merry go round

The world's smallest pirate ship as well

Bumper Cars - something I haven't seen in a long time

Something for the cheap thrill seekers

But there was one more thing that was more interesting. They had lifesize dolls of cartoon characters in the fair, such as Mr. Bean (as seen in the pix above), characters from Mr. Bean's cartoon.

But there was one other character there, ... the Crazy Frog. Got a picture of it.

The Crazy Frog

What's interesting is not the Crazy Frog doll, but what was on the doll. For those of you who did not catch it the first time, here's a zoom in.

What in the world is a doll like this doing in a childrens's funfair? Imagine kids running around the place when suddenly one of the them asks, "Mommy, mommy, what is that?"

"Errrr ... Well ... That is, err ... where they blow air in to keep the doll inflated ... "

or "Good question, go ask your dad ..."

Somehow strange things just happens.

Monday Morning Blues

It's Monday again. The weekend passed so quickly. Only yesterday I felt the world was blooming like a flower in spring. I woke up at 11am and squirmed around on the bed until I was fully awake.

Today I woke up at 7am, dragging myself out of bed reluctantly, asking why morning came so quickly. It was raining and the buses were late. Traffic was terrible and I arrived late for work. For one whole hour I was staring at the screen, unable to make sense of what I was doing. Finally I realised I had not turn on my computer. (Not that bad, it's on, but no application was running. I was staring at my wallpaper)

Anyway, one of the reasons for this hangover is because I went chor dai di with Ian, A.Ze and Douglas yesterday in A.Ze's room. It was another late night ... errr, actually we left early. Everyone went back early.

Time to get back to work. Need another cup of coffee.

New Shoutbox

Just installed a new shoutbox on the right side of the page. You can shout what you want, say hi to friends or just for you to exercise your fingers.

The shoutbox is especially for those of you who are too lazy to write emails, post comments, use msn messenger or even SMS. All you need to do is just type a short message and click go. If you are too lazy to even do that, ...

Frog Porridge at Geylang

Wednesday night - Ian & May took A.Ze and me to Geylang for frog porridge. Geylang is a very busy area. Cars flowing non-stop along the road. Shops were aplenty with food shops dominating the scene. There are crowds of people everywhere.

I know, most of you all, the moment we mention Geylang, you associate it with prostitution and such. That is partially true, you all can ask Ian (he's the expert). There's also plenty of accomodation, mostly charging by the hour (I wonder why), not that I recommend you all stay at any hotels there.

There are also plenty of restaurants, hawkers and kopitiam selling local delicacy. We had frog porridge for dinner. The restaurant had just been renovated and was very clean. Anyway, it seems the restaurant is quite famous, being featured on TV and newspapers (most of SG's food places have been on TV, papers, magazines, etc.) Anyway, the link to the restaurant is here.

Frogs cooked in a pot

You don't see the porridge in the picture huh. That's because the frogs are cooked in a pot and they serve you plain porridge in another pot. So you can order different style of cooking frog.

They have a promotion or some sorts. Order 2 frogs and get 1 free. We tried 2 different type of frog dishes. The food was great. We tried the kung pao (dried chili) style and the white pepper (only available here). It was spicy and very tasty especially when you mix it with the porridge.

If you decide to come and try this dish, feel free to call Ian. I think he's becoming a regular there.

East Coast Park

Tuesday night, Ian brought us all to East Coast Park. A place by the beach where there are restaurants, hawker food, camping (that's right, camping), sports, etc.

Waterboarding in the lagoon

There was also this place where people practice water skiing or water boarding whatever you call it. They surrounded an area and made a lagoon in the beach. Then pulled a cables around the perimeter of the lagoon and allow you to ski around the lagoon.

This is where they launch off

As the cable circle around the lagoon, you launch off when the cable you are holding on to gets hook on. And then you go round, and round, and round. Once in a while you get someone who thinks he's damn good and start doing tricks. Then you hear us laughing when he falls off.

Some fellar who thinks he's damn good at waterskiing

They charge by the hour. It gets cheaper the more hours you buy, up to a maximum 4 hours. How the heck do you hang on for four hours?!!! Anyway, maybe I'll give it a try one day. I'll bring a chair and see if they can pull the chair instead.

Night out at Makan Sutra

A.Ze arrived in SG yesterday for a 2 week working trip. We went out for dinner along with Ian and May at Makan Sutra next to the Esplanade. We went in Ian's new Toyota Yaris. Nice semi-compact car. Even with 5 of us, it was still comfortable. It was raining when we arrived, but still managed to get a table under a big umbrella.

Makan Sutra is a "semi-tourist" attraction, according to Ian. It has the hawker food of Singapore but situated next to Esplanade and the sea with a view of the Marina coastline. Place is clean and the food was great. 3rd time I've been there so far. Recommended for anyone who is visiting SG.

Will call A.Ze tonight, see what plans he has.

Ratatouille (rat-a-too-ee)

My wife and I went to watch Ratatouille with Ian and May at Vivo City on Saturday night. I had heard some raving reviews from a lot of people. Ratatouille is from Pixar and after success with Toys Story and A Bug's Life, this should not be too bad.

It started out with a short animation about a alien trainee taking a test to abduct humans. Short but sweet. The cinema was filled with laughter.

On to the movie, needless to explain; I think most of you have read about the movie, most would have seen it before me; but I will just go on. It is about a rat who loves to cook and how he found his way into a famous French restaurant in Paris, of course, and how he team up with a young boy in the kitchen to make magnificent dishes.
Kudos to Pixar for the great animation. Together with Disney, they always manage to make the film as heartwarming and attractive to the viewers. Typically, you have the good guys and of course some bad hats that are trying to make life hard for the heroes.

Although it was really good, but somehow the thought of a rat cooking still send shivers. Pixar made Remy, the rat that cooks, looks cleaner and cuter. But after watching movies of dirty rats in the sewers or rats in the rubbish, the idea of a rat cooking is still hard to accept.

But overall, it was a good movie. Had a good laugh. Been some time since I saw a cartoon in the cinema. I would say worth the money I paid for the tickets.

Happy Birthday Malaysia

Happy Birthday Malaysia. Happy 44th Birthday Malaysia. Perhaps many have forgotten, but Malaysia was actually formed on 16 September 1963 together with the states in Penisular and East Malaysia.

Our National day remains on 31 August. This is because independence was gained on 31 August 1957. But Malaya was formed and consist of the states in Penisular Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak only joined in 1963. Thus the official date for the formation of Malaysia is 16 September 1963.

Our nation seems to have forgotten this date, with yours truly needing to be reminded as well. We should take into account the feelings of our comrades in East Malaysia as they are a part of our nation as well. If 100mil was spent on our Merdeka Celebration, what celebration was actually planned for the nation's 44th birthday?

Somehow, the actual date of our nation's birthday have just come and gone. How many of us actually celebrated the big day? How many of us actually remembered the date?

Perhaps if the government truly wants one Malaysian race, we should embrace this day as the birthday of the Malaysian nation; the birthday of all Malaysians; the birthday of one Malaysia; the birthday of one Malaysian race.

Happy 44th Birthday Malaysia.

The Husband Store

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!

There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch. ... You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

On the first floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 - These men have jobs and love the Lord.

*********

The second floor sign reads:Floor 2 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids.

*********

The third floor sign reads: Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, and are extremely good looking." Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

*********

She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads: Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead good looking and help with the housework."Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"

*********

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads: Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak. She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads:

*********

Floor 6 - You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Watch your step as you exit the building, and have a nice day!

Overpaid Items

I've been resisting from writing about this for a week. But there's still reports coming out telling how much have been wasted. The issue at hand is the Auditor-General's report on the government's usage of money.

The first article I read was in the Star. Would you believe how unbelieveable it sounds? Paying RM224 for a set of screwdrivers, RM5,700 for a jack! I mean, maybe you can overprice a project by 5% because there's too much too look at, but paying something this outrageous for simple items like this. Totally ridiculous.

Anyone wants a screwdriver?

The people involved may claim ignorance. But does it sound logical to you? Are we that naive? If they claim they don't know the prices, it shows how close the government is to the current issues and to the people.

What makes things worse is that if it really is ignorance, then we really have to worry when THESE people are the ones RUNNING the country. Then I would really be scared.

I think maybe I'll go into business. Maybe I can start supplying items to the Ministries. Anyone interested in an ergonomic broom? It's a broom wrapped with rubber grip at the handle. Allows the user to get a better grip and sweeps comfortably. One unit goes for the price of RM5,000. Anyone interested can email me.