Food prices rise, eat less rice

I came back from Malaysia last night. And this morning I read this in the Star online.

Sunday April 27, 2008 MYT 7:25:49 PM
Food prices rise, eat less rice
By IAN McINTYRE

KOTA BARU: The Government will introduce a "holistic" package to deal with the global shortage of food commodities, including calling for a reduction in rice consumption.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said this in response to the Thai Government’s recent call for their people to reduce rice consumption to address the global increase in prices and acute shortage of staple foods.

"Each adult Malaysian consumes a per capita average of 77kg of rice per annum so there is room for a reduction by substituting it with a greater intake of vegetables and an emphasis on a health-conscious diet," he said after visiting the Merdeka padi scheme in Mulong with Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Musa.

“Our plan is to preserve the food supply chain not only for ourselves but for our grandchildren and future generations. We want a comprehensive and holistic package to address the acute shortage of food commodities supply and its rising global prices.”

Presently, Malaysia only produces about 70% of its rice needs, but the ministry wants to significantly increase production levels to ensure the country is self-sufficient within the next few years.

I am really lost for words. Speechless. These are the people that are still in government. Is that all they know? Petrol price goes up, they say use less petrol. Inflation goes up, change lifestyle. Now rice go up, eat less rice.

What kind of a government do we have? Do something lar. Not ask us to eat less. Maybe our MPs and PM should eat less as well, not just rice that is.

Still on GE2008

Been reading some articles lately. Mostly on the political situation in Malaysia. The news sound more juicy than a romantic fiction novel or even the Obama-Clinton challenge.

Everyday there are articles about either UMNO complaining about losing the states to Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Or MCA claiming DAP betrayed the Chinese. Or Gerakan asking the opposition to return the states to BN.

My thoughts on this is ... GET ON WITH LIFE! F**k you lar. You f**king lost the elections, not because the opposition cheated, not because your candidate filled up a wrong form, but because you all F**KED UP. You neglected the people. You threatened the people. You back stabbed people. And now you want to come crying. F**k you lar. Instead of working to make right where you went wrong, you are crying over spilled milk. It means you never learned a f**king thing. F**K YOU. You expect me to vote for you? F**K YOU.

Next we have UMNO members calling for the resignation of Pak Lah. Wow. Suddenly, everyone thinks he's wrong. Suddenly, everyone feels that he's not the person for the post. Where the f**k were you all during these 4 years? Where the f**k were you all when the keris was raised? As I recalled, most of you were cheering to the keris. Where were you when the people complained about inflation?

You never made so much of a sigh. You all were behind this person, backing him, saying what he did was right, supported him. Because you never thought what happened was WRONG. You believed all that it was RIGHT to raise the keris. You believed that corruption was RIGHT. You believed that bullying the non-malays were RIGHT. Now the same members or party leaders say he's wrong and you want him to resign? F**K YOU.

Anwar's predicament is actually rather interesting. The reason Anwar is so strong is probably due to UMNO or Dr. M's own doing. By kicking Anwar out or getting rid of him, they have actually made him a even more dangerous and powerful symbol. If he was still with UMNO, probably he would be surrounded by cronies, apple polishers, etc. Now, he is surrounded by people who believe in him, justice and hope, people who don't gain contracts or monies by supporting him, people who are willing to sacrifice and people who are non-malays. So, it can be said that Anwar is actually UMNO's own doing. How ironic.

What worries me even more is that there was so much promise painted before the election. Now it has been one and half month, yet nothing has happened apart from the bickering by the federal government and the components of the so-called ruling party. Instead of working with the so-called opposition-ruled states, they are conducting protests, calling for resignations, making threats, cutting of federal funds to the states, etc. It would seem that the ruling party is nothing but a sour puss with no regard at all for the welfare of the people.

If you really want to the people to vote for you, redeem yourselves and work towards making Malaysia a better place to live in & look after the rights of the people. But from what I have seen so far, nothing has changed. They have not learned their lesson, and they never will ...

Govt study: Youngsters just ain’t patriotic

An article in the star today states that a government study claims that youngsters aren't patriotic.

Govt study: Youngsters just ain’t patriotic
By IAN MCINTYRE

BACHOK: A recent Government study has revealed that patriotism levels among youth in the country have declined significantly and if left unchecked, could lead to serious consequences for nation building.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the revelation has forced the ministry to re-look its policy on how to engage youth.

The Government has admitted it has lost the support of youths and has been unable to reach out to the technology-savvy generation, he said.

“We need to adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. For starters, we need to re-instil patriotism in youths regardless of their ethnicity or religious backgrounds,'' he said during his inaugural working visit to the east coast state.

Earlier, he held dialogues with youth department officers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the youth skills institute here.

Ismail said the ministry would now be “result-orientated” with a specific goal of restoring confidence among the young in the Government.

This would include the ministry setting up its own blog as well as channelling funds directly to all youth associations, including youth-based NGOs in the country.

“We have decided to reduce bureaucracy. From now on, all funding for youth NGOs and associations will come directly from the ministry.

“We would ensure the grassroots have funds to conduct activities for youths,” he said.

Character-building programmes that instil patriotism are also needed to shore up support among youths, Ismail said.

Have the government ever thought what led to the decline in the patriotism in the youths? Do they blame the youths? I would say blame the government themselves. What have they done to instill patriotism in the youths? A lot of youths don't even know what the rukun negara is.

Frankly, the government isn't helping much but is worsening the situation. Stretching the divides among racial lines. Claiming Malaysia to be an islamic state. Demolishing temples. Raising the keris. Discriminating students in the University. All these are just the right moves to boosting patriotism among youths.

I am beginning to wonder why they claim the youth are not patriotic. Is it because of their poor election results? They claim the youths did not vote for them, so they must be patriotic. If so, then I say F**K YOU!!! I would say the youths are more patriotic then you know. Voting for the opposition party and helping to shape the country for a better future. The youths are more matured then you think.

Please remember, to instill patriotism in Malaysian youths is to instill the pride of being a Malaysian. Satu bangsa Malaysia. One nation one Malaysia. Not segregating among racial divides. It's time the government wake up and start acting as one, if they still intend on being one.

I m bored, really bored!

It's Saturday. I should be at home sleeping, or watching TV, or reading the newspaper, or surfing the net (ok, i am doing that), instead, I am stuck at work now.

I was supposed to be off today. Was planning to enjoy my weekend in SG. Been going back to PJ nearly every weekend to see my kid. This week, I thought I would get some rest as I had fallen sick for the past few weeks.

Well, it all started during a meeting at 5pm yesterday. 5pm!!! I get off work at 5pm, supposedly. Anyway, another colleague of mine promised something to the bosses that involved me. So, he asked if I could come in today to settle with him.

Being the nice guy (and also bcoz my bosses were at the meeting as well) I agreed. Then he said, he could only come in the afternoon! I said, never mind, I will wait for you. I told him to come as early as possible.

I woke up late today, and came to work half drowsy. Who would have thought, he called me up at around 10am. Said he can't make it today!!! He asked for some info and said he will pass the work to me on Monday!!!

So, I am still stuck here in the office, thinking what to do. Should I go home? Should I go catch a movie? BTW, it's raining outside and I cannot leave. Hmmmm ....

Bored? Smack the penguin ...

It's Monday. Just came back from PJ last night. Fell sick over the weekend. Still suffering from a bad cough, sore throat and no-mood-to-work syndrome.

Now I am just feeling bored and waiting to go home. Then I got this website. Cured some of my boredom and did some exercise as well.

If you are feeling bored and lazy to work out. Have a go.link

A lighter side

With the recent elections everyone has been on the serious side of things, wondering what is happening to our country.

Taking some time off, let me share with you some interesting pix I got from e-mails.

There are no small mistakes in our business!

I have always wondered what the arrows were for

I KNOW you have a merz...

Looks like our PM's son in law have ventured into a new business