Fact or Fiction?

OK, OK a lot of people don't trust this guy...he's been labelled a nutcase, crackpot and what not, but he does put up a credible hypothesis: The Real Significance of The Fed’s Zero-Interest-Rate Policy (ZIRP) - The Battle To Save The Fiat Money System Has Begun

Guys just imagine if the scenario is real...


Perhaps a book to read, if you can find it? Kind of pricey though...

Doctors

Excerpt from The Star, 7 December 2008:

Sunday December 7, 2008

Young docs walk a tightrope

By RASHVINJEET S. BEDI and HARIATI AZIZAN

After completing a gruelling course, young doctors have another challenge to face – a demanding two-year housemanship where they rely on lots of coffee, cope with very little sleep and put up with public chastisements.

SHE had always wanted to be a doctor but six months into her housemanship, she snapped and just couldn’t take the stress anymore.

*Kavitha found the workload and endless hours on call a real burden, sapping her energy and spirit. Today, says her concerned father *Gurdave, she is close to having a nervous breakdown and is seeing a psychiatrist for counselling.

“The work load was too heavy and the hours too long. When she was on call, she sometimes had to work for up to 36 hours straight. She wants to be transferred to another hospital but every hospital is just as bad.

“But I don’t want her to walk away from the profession. I have spent close to RM400,000 on her education. I don’t want anything back but just for her to get through this,” says Gurdave.

Unfortunately, housemanship is taking its toll on many young doctors like Kavitha. Statistically, she is one of at least five housemen a month who is found to be suffering from mental illness.

Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican revealed last week that many of the medical graduates are unable to cope with their housemanship.

“The mental cases range from psychotic to neurotic. Psychotic cases include delusions and hallucinations, and neurotic behaviour includes anxiety, fear and anger due to the competitive environment.’’

On-call system

The term houseman refers to an advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised practical experience. In Malaysia, it is compulsory for doctors to undergo housemanship for two years after completing their medical degree. During housemanship, they are rotated among six departments – emergency department, medical, paediatric, general surgery, orthopaedic, and obstetrics and gynaecology – where they are attached to for four months each.

Over the years, those undergoing housemanship have been voicing their unhappiness but these complaints have generally fallen on deaf ears. The biggest grouse housemen have seems to be the on-call system, where they are sometimes subjected to work 36 hours at a stretch.

*Pedro, who is into his sixth month of housemanship, says he has on occasion worked 38 hours straight with only one hour rest in-between.

“In some hospitals, the patient load is non-stop as they have to accept referrals from other hospitals,” says Pedro, adding that this is more apparent at hospitals in Johor Baru and Klang which are the busiest in the country.

Housemen are provided facilities such as beds and they can sleep if they have no cases to attend to. However, this is rarely the case and the most sleep they get is about two to three hours. And that is only when the housemen take turns to sleep, says *Lalitha whose housemanship stint ended recently.

“We force ourselves to carry on. What keeps us going is coffee and tea. It is only after we are no longer on call that we can go back and crash until the next day,” she says. Depending on the department and the hospital they are serving in, housemen could be on-call for up to 15 days a month. Lalitha says that during her first posting, she would work from 6am to midnight every day.

“We go home, have a bath and sleep for five hours before the cycle is repeated. They are preparing us for the on-call,” she says.

Shortage of doctors

Dr Kuljit Singh, president of the Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head Neck Surgeons (MSO- HNS), believes that one factor that can cause high pressure for trainee doctors is the shortage of doctors at some hospitals.

“Some hospitals have a lower doctor to patient ratio, so the housemen, being the lowest category in the medical fraternity, have to take on a lot of the work and responsibility, especially the lousy tasks, in the name of training,” he says.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (PPUKM) dean and director Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Saim agrees, saying that pressure from their heavy workload can push some doctors to the brink of breaking down.

“It is normal for a doctor to be on duty for more than 36 hours with on-call duties. In Europe, this has been recognised as a problem and they have passed a law to state that doctors cannot work more than 12 hours straight. Maybe we need laws like that if we want to improve our doctors’ welfare,” he opines.

Under the European Working Time Directive in 2004, junior doctors can work no more than 56 hours a week. They can work up to 13 hours a day but then have to have an 11-hour break.

Acknowledging that the number of doctors in Malaysia may still be too low for such a ruling, Dr Lokman nevertheless thinks it is a possible solution for the future.

Dr Lokman thinks that the problem of housemen suffering from mental problems can be prevented at the entry point of the profession.

“Currently, for public universities, students are selected by the Higher Education Ministry based on their exam results and co-curriculum activities. No interviews are conducted, so there is no way for the individual medical schools to assess their attitude and character. If we get the right candidates for the programme, we can be sure of the doctors we produce,” he argues.

However, he admits that it is not a foolproof method but he believes that it will help weed out the obviously unsuitable candidates.

“Many students are forced by their parents to take up medicine and these students end up very stressed because the course is difficult and they are not motivated. It will help us ascertain if a candidate has the right attitude and disposition to be a doctor,” he adds.

He highlights that a majority of students who fail and drop out of medicine are those who are forced by their parents into the field.

Bullying

But for those who successfully completed their degree, the challenge is dealing with the hospital environment.

They may have to contend with a handful of senior medical officers with the “Napoleon” complex who make the lives of the housemen difficult, says Dr Kuljit Singh who had served in government hospitals before branching out into private service.

“There is sometimes an element of bullying and high-handedness in the way some senior medical officers and consultants treat their junior house officers. They become Little Napoleons and are dictatorial. They say they went through the same regiment and that made them good doctors, so the newbies need to go through the same process,” says Dr Kuljit.

A senior doctor in the Johor Baru hospital, *Zul is also not happy with the treatment dished out to housemen.

“I have seen the degrading treatment given to medical officers, even after they have finished their housemanship,” he says. Zul himself was a houseman in the same hospital a few years ago and he says nothing has changed.

“If they talk about your work then it’s all right, but then they go into character assassination,” he says.

The housemen are usually screamed at by their specialists in the wards and in the clinics, he adds.

“The words used in front of patients are sometimes so degrading that in my opinion, it is these specialists who are the ones suffering from ‘mental woes’,” says Zul.

Those who fought back would be referred to the head of department who would either try to rectify the situation or extend the posting of the houseman, adds Zul.

A few of the housemen say there have been times when they were threatened with extensions in the department by medical officers.

Zul says that three of his friends quit the medical profession during their housemanship, with one of them ending up as a housewife.

“One of them would get anxiety attacks whenever she came to the ward. The thing is she was an excellent student,” says Zul.

*Maniam was barely a week into his housemanship when a specialist yelled at him in front of a patient.

“He asked me if I paid to pass my exams and also said I was the worst doctor he had ever come across. How can he say such a thing when I was there for only a week? They tend to look down on us as if we don’t know anything,” says Maniam.

However, Dr Kuljit, who taught at Universiti Malaya, shares that many students today are more pampered and have led a sheltered life, and thus cannot stand the pressure. Many come from a protected family environment, so when they are reprimanded, they get stressed and depressed. He believes that medical schools need to instil more soft skills, particularly interpersonal skills, in their students.

“We have many top scorers taking up medicine but many of them lack people skills. These students can manage with their studies but when they start working, they don’t know how to deal with their superiors, especially when they get scolded by them,” he says.

Pedro, on the other hand, does not have problems with any of the senior doctors he has to work with and says they are gems.

“I have no complaints because they teach us a lot. They offer us the opportunity to learn complicated procedures. They are willing to teach you even if there are possible complications. Even the specialists take time to teach you,” he adds.

President of the Malaysian Medical Association Datuk Khoo Kar Lin is unsure about the cause of mental problems faced by the doctors although he says the finding by the Health Ministry is a concern. He says a survey should be done on housemen to find out the causes.

“We have not received any complaints (about housemanship). I went through the system myself and from my impression it is not different from say 30 years ago. They are not being more overworked than yesterday,” says Khoo, adding that he enjoyed his housemanship.

“Every profession will have its challenges. We have to be cautious because people will always think that they are victimised and work longer hours compared to others,” adds Khoo.

President of the Malaysian Mental Health Association Datin Dr Ang Kim Teng says that housemanship could be a contributing factor to mental problems.

“It is not the job that causes it but the underlying susceptibility. Some people are more prone to this and the job stress could be a triggering factor. Factory workers, policemen and teachers can also face the same problem.

“It all depends on the individual’s ability to cope with stress. A lot of housemen go through their stints without any problems,” says Dr Ang.

Lalitha enjoyed her housemanship despite the many challenges in the different departments.

“We know this awaits us in the field. When I first started, I asked myself what I was doing here. The doctors pick on your mistakes and are not bothered if you have enough rest,” says Lalitha who got used to housemanship by her third posting.

She believes adaptation is the hardest and those who studied in foreign universities may have it tougher as they may not understand some of the terms used.

For *Tan, her social life took the backstage and she had to cut down on spending time with her family and friends.

“Those were the times when I thought of quitting but the feeling passed very quickly,” she says.

Tan didn’t really encounter any problems with the staff but has friends who have had books thrown at them and senior staff nurses giving them a hard time.

“At the end of the day, I am satisfied that I have somehow made a difference in a patient’s life. I don’t have any regrets getting into this line,” she says.

For Pedro, the only time he feels discouraged is when he has to get up at 5.30am for work.

“Once you get there it’s over in a snap,” he shares, adding that he feels really good when patients come out of life-threatening situations.

Pedro also says with all the running around they have to do, housemanship is the best weight loss programme.

“I can now fit into pants which I wore in Form Five!” he quips.

Prevention at entry

Dr Lokman Saim thinks that the problem can be prevented at the entry point of the profession, which is the medical course.

“Currently, for the public university, students are selected by the Higher Education Ministry based on their exam results and co-curriculum activities.

“No interviews are conducted, so there is no way for the individual medical schools to asses their attitude and character. If we get the right candidates for the programme, we can be sure of the doctors we produce,” Dr Lokman argues.

He admits that it is not a foolproof method but he believes that it will help.

“Many students are forced by their parents to take up medicine and these students end up very stressed because the course is difficult and they are not motivated. It will help us ascertain if a candidate has the right attitude and disposition to be a doctor,” he adds.

He highlights that the majority of students who fail and drop out of medicine are those who are forced by their parents into the field.

*Names have been changed to protect identities

How true, how true...this is how house officers are treated from time immemorial. Wonder why people are making a fuss of it now? Getting more lembik? More pampered?

Trust me, enjoy the experience...and remember: what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!!

Still At The Top?

Well...come the first week of December and Liverpool is still at the top of the BPL. Surprise surprise!! Anyway it's only a one point lead above Chelsea so nothing to shout about. Could have been much much more. Dropped points against Stoke, Tottenham, Fulham and West Ham - games that should have been won comfortably. Will these points matter towards the end of the season? We'll see...

What's different about Liverpool this season?

1. Use of width. Riera has been refreshing. Dossena looks good. But I'm still worried about the right wing...Kuyt isn't exactly a winger, though one has to give him credit for being the Duracell bunny of the team!

2. Torres. Remember that Torres has been out for most of the season. Better for him to be out now than later in the run-in. Liverpool have been playing fairly well without him - MU and Chelsea can testify to that! 

3.  MU and Chelsea. Great victories and confidence boosters. Well done lads. Notably in both matches both teams hardly got a look in at goal.

4. Xabi Alonso. After an indifferent 2007/2008 season, rumours had it that he'd be off-loaded this season. Must have shocked him back to reality - easily one of the better players around. Contributed immensely to the improved Liverpool performance. Scored the vital goal at Chelsea too!

5. Dirk Kuyt. Finally scoring goals. Not only the willing runner of the team. And able to step out of the shadows of Torres. Could see more from him hopefully.

6. Gerrard. Need I say more?

7. Arsenal. Jekyll and Hyde performances. But helping to keep Chelsea and MU off our back for the time being.

8. MU. Still the flair team, but more unstable this year than before. Keep it up!

9. Chelsea. The team to beat this year. Good all around team, playing well and winning even with so many players out injured. But they're no more invincible at home. 

Well the hectic Christmas schedule is coming up, including upcoming matches against Hull and Arsenal. Let's take it one month at a time OK?

Some Things Never Change...

Well, the headlines scream: Express bus crashes into tree and overturns near Tangkak, killing 10 and Massive landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa

Haven't we heard them before? Even Sleepyhead has had enough but isn't it a wee bit too late?

Talking about buses...as I was driving back from JB on Saturday my car was nearly sideswiped by an express bus driving at nearly 120 km/h!! So what do you expect??

Well I guess some things never change...

More Mang-lish Horrors!

Again from Kit's website...

YB Lim

This is found on the pages of our National Registration Dept website. Sigh, what a sad state of affairs, when such atrocious English is held up for display, for practically the whole world to see…..

And we are proud of sending a “space man” above???? A by-product of all the years that UMNO and BN has been in charge of our Education System. Now, it’s not just us M’sians who know that the quality of our local grads is hopeless, but this is being paraded for the whole world to see.

Don’t UMNO/BN have any shame? Hope you will raise this issue up at the righ forum.
Regards
Shanker

_______________

(Note, this page have since been amended by NRD)
http://www.jpn.gov.my/BI/4_5_kadpengenalan.php

1. I’m 17 year old, when should I change my identity card replacement?
A person whose had got first-time identity card namely during old 12 year, are required change again his identity card when have reached the age 18 year. If this change made within life time 18 - 25 year, no any penalty imposed.

2. I already 25 year old and still not have my own identity card. What shoul I do?
To them not yet own identity card although already aged more 16 year are advised to come to any nearby NRD to apply identity card past record. Applicant and promoter must showed up together to be interviewed, bringing with together following documents:-
Applicant Born Certificate / AnakAngkat’s Certificate / W’s Form Or
Applicant Enter Permit / Confirmation Form National Standard(if concerning)
Promoter Identity Card

3. I a foreign citizens and have gotten permit of entry from Jabatan Immigration Malaysia. Whether I qualified to apply identity card? What is conditions for I apply identity card.
You qualified to apply identity card with permanent resident status(Red). Applications requirements is bringing with permit of entry and passport and copy both of them and application fee as many as RM 40.00. Applications can be made in NRD Putrajaya Headquarters and NRD Branches only.

4. Is there any payment am being imposed in case happened damage for chip in my identity card.
Chip damage who is not due to purposely destroyed, misuse and others within one year from the date of submission card is give replacement by free, and if card period has been held by the applicant exceeding one year, payment as many as RM 10.00 imposed.

5. How many payment am being imposed if I loss identity card?
Lost identity card would be charged follow loss number. Please see payment schedule.

6. How long MyKad’s application period can be completed?
MyKad can be completed within 24 hours as applicant whose opted to take MyKad in NRD Putrajaya headquarters. For applicant opted to take MyKad in any NRD branches office in Peninsula of Malaysia, then MyKad would be completed within 10 working day while 30 working day for applicant opted to take MyKad in any NRD branches office in Sabah, a Sarawak or Labuan. MyKad’s charter completed this only involve applications from Warganegara Malaysia and prayer not problematical only.

7. Could I change address without change my identity card? If I can how many rates imposed?
Yes. With payment RM2.00 and new address information would be updated inside chip. If you want change identity card one time, the charge is RM10.00 .

8. Is it NRD receive payment other than cash ?
Yes, NRD comply accept payment electronically namely via credit card, card debit and MEPS.
However, there were limit minimum sum accept to payment via credit card there is as many as RM 50.00

_______________

http://www.jpn.gov.my/BI/3_3_1_pengenalan.php

WHAT IS MYKID

Mykid is identity card or introduction from children’s chip issued to children aged below 12 year.Mykid’s feature is the same as MyKad only it had no picture and fingerprints.

” My ” bring purpose “Malaysia” WHILE ” kid ” also is the abbreviation to ” Personal Identity Card “. Personal identification number that there were to Mykid this will be used in all business from born till the end.

Mykid contains 3 major application contain in chip namely:

* JPN’s Application (presentation data)
* Health information
* Education information

MYKID’S ADVANTAGE

* Current form ease of use deal government or private with the agency
* Are used during deal with the department or agencies as hospital or clinic supply health screening objective, schooling and others .
* Portable because miniaturized
* Have security feature to avoid from misused.
* With technology chip wherein information readable on the card or in chip. Chip in information stated also simple to be updated.
* Strikingly good-looking form

MYKID’S IMPLEMENTATION

MyKid were implemented in all NRD branches in Peninsula of Malaysia and it only to registration of birth just.

MyKid Enquiry, please contact 03-88808066

_______________

http://www.jpn.gov.my/BI/4_1_web.php

1. What is NRD’s website?

NRD website is abbreviation to official web National Registration Department. NRD website make major world to information and national registration department service through Internet.

2. Why this website been created?

Latterly, information and service majority National Registration Department has been prepared by online and NRD website been created to provide convenience to the public find information and service that are provided.

3. Whom were allowed surf and use this website ?

Generally, this website could be achieved by all society. However, there were some information and service that need registration.

4. What is privacy policy for this website? Am I been recorded or not?

All access and your use up on this website shall not be recorded. To further information, please visit to ‘Privacy Policy And Safety Policy’ in bottom of each page.

5. What method for I contact National Registration Department?

You can contact us:-
Public Relations Office
Tel: 03-8880 8206 / 7071 / 7077 / 7067 / 7069
Fax: 03-8880 8288 atau
Email: pro@jpn.gov.my

6. How should I sent my feedback to Goverment Agencies?

You can fill form in the division “Public Complaint System ” In NRD website. It would be channelled to the divisions relating.

Wow it's not even funny anymore!!

Another Test

Well at least Anwar has decided not to set further dates for his so-called takeover of the Government...in my opinion they should just get down to concentrate on governing the states already in control and wait for 2013. Hopping MPs just does not inspire confidence!

Sad as the death of Kuala Terengganu MP and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail was, the vacancy of his seat would prove another testing ground for Malay grassroot support for the contenders - PKR/PAS (not PR here) and UMNO (not BN!!). What will succeed? Ketuanan Melayu vs. the Malaysian Agenda?

I guess we will know come January 17...for better or for worse...

Scare!

Came back from the South to the horror of this message on my computer screen: A Disk Read Error Occured. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart! Panic...panic!! I has so much data to lose...

Fortunately after huffing and puffing for a few hours I managed to perform Chkdsk and correct the error...back to normal I hope!

Petrol Down, But...

Has been an exciting two months for us gas guzzlers...petrol prices have come down from RM 2.70 per litre to now RM 1.90 per litre. Wow, that is even cheaper than before the price increases started!

But something still bugs me...why are all other products and services still so expensive? Haven't gone down in tandem...or maybe it'll never. Well where prices are concerned what goes up will stay up!! Why? Why?

I guess I'll have to accept this as a fact of life! Sigh...

Awwww...

OK OK it's a pic from Yahoo, but still...

P.S. I missed it...wonder why they don't announce these things on national TV/Radio??!!

RPK Free!

I can't believe it!!! Now at least Malaysia Today will be more interesting - sauces, spice and all!!

Perhaps there is some hope for Malaysia...perhaps...

Maybe it's the Government trying to curry favour with the people...too bad they still think that Malaysians are so easily hoodwinked by such little tokens.

Abolish ISA and we may see things differently!

Fitting Finale

Well I guess the whole High School Musical franchise is officially over...unless there's a resurrection of sorts. Me thinks it has been very successful in bringing musicals back into the public eye ever since the very successful original HSM last year. Successful for Disney that is...I've never actually seen so much publicity for any Disney production before HSM.

The first is always the best? Perhaps, but HSM 3 surpasses its predecessors in a few aspects - the choreography is much better, songs more varied, and the characters less stilted. As a whole the movie gives a feeling of 'fun' that was missing in HSM 2.



I enjoyed the show immensely and highly recommend it...just look past the corniness of the whole storyline and you will actually enjoy it. Perhaps the 'climactic' song could've been better (I feel the best songs of the whole movie was played too early)...but it's worth your money!

Liar!

Abdullah: ‘Anyone can be PM’

PUTRAJAYA: It is possible for anyone from a minority group to be a nation’s leader, even in Malaysia, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

“It is up to the people to decide, just as the Americans had done through the democratic process,” he said while extending his congratulations to Senator Barack Obama.

Reporters had asked him in the Parliament lobby yesterday if it were possible for a person from a minority group to become Prime Minister in Malaysia.

The Star, 6/11/08

This has got to take the cake - the biggest, most blatant, public lie this old goat has ever uttered!!!!

Need I say more???

Change!

Seems to be the theme worldwide for 2008. Congratulations to Mr. Obama - the first Afro-American President of (used to be) most powerful country in the world. Proves that American democracy is still alive, and kicks racists in the b****!

So when is Malaysia's turn?

Oh So Wrong...

Read this article from Utusan Malaysia....

ARKIB : 12/10/2008

Politik baru YB J

PAGI itu resah YB Josephine, yang lebih mesra dengan panggilan YB J sukar dikawal. Sepanjang perjalanan menuju ke Dewan Perhimpunan Warga Cha di ibu kota, fikirannya terganggu. Tuduhan bahawa dia anti-Islam dan anti-Melayu sungguh-sungguh menghantui perasaannya sejak malam tadi lagi. Entah mengapa baru sekarang dia begitu, dia sendiri tidak tahu. Dia juga tidak pasti sama ada pemandunya, Ahmad, menyedari gelora jiwanya ketika itu. Kalau dia tahu pun, peduli apa, YB Josephine berbisik sendirian.

Pemandu itu memang sedia maklum pendirian politiknya tentang kepentingan kaumnya vis a vis orang Melayu. Dan dia tahu Ahmad menghormati pendiriannya, walaupun dilihat anti- Melayu, anti-Islam sebagai hak asasi tinggal dalam sebuah negara demokrasi. Bukankah kebebasan asasi itu dijamin oleh Perkara 5 hingga Perkara 13 Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Tetapi YB J akui demokrasi ada yang tidak sempurna dan kerap disalahgunakan oleh pihak yang berkuasa. Tetapi hakikat itu tidak menghalang rakyat menempatkan pembangkang di Dewan Rakyat. YB Josephine adalah salah seorang daripadanya.

Ah, tudahan dia anti-Islam, anti-Melayu tuduhan yang melulu bentak YB J seolah-olah mahu menyedapkan dirinya.. Ia juga tuduhan yang tidak berasas, hati kecilnya bersuara lagi. Dia meyakinkan dirinya bahawa kenyataankenyataan yang dibuatnya atas nama pelbagai kaum untuk memperjuangkan kepentingan kaumnya, bukan sesuatu yang rasis. Amensty International, organisasi hak asasi antarabangsa akan menyetujuinya. Begitu juga dengan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu. Ketua Pembangkang, di Parlimen pun tidak pernah menganggapnya rasis. Yang menganggapnya rasis hanya orang Melayu di dalam Parti Orang Melayu (POM).

“Aku juga bukan anti-Islam. Aku bukan anti Melayu,” pujuk hati YB J yang sudah dua penggal bergelar YB itu, mewakili Parti Bertindak Rakyat. Parti itu dianggotainya sejak berada di kampus lagi, walaupun Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti melarang para siswa membabitkan diri secara langsung dalam mana-mana organisasi siasah. Lagi pun penguatkuasaan undang-undang itu sekadar melepas batuk di tangga. Lebih dari itu, ia adalah satu lagi undang-undang lapuk, kata YB J.

Kata hatinya lagi: “Aku sekadar memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum aku, sama seperti pemimpin Melayu dalam POM memperjuangkan kepentingan bangsanya, sama seperti pemimpin Parti Orang Islam (POI) berjuang untuk bangsa menggunakan wajah Islamnya.”

Malah YB J berasakan kelantangannya memperjuangkan kepentingan kaumnya itulah yang telah membantunya menang kali kedua kerusi Parlimennya. Kali ini dengan majoriti yang lebih besar lagi. Apa yang membanggakan dia adalah perjuangan yang dianggap anti-Melayu dan anti-Islam itu kini turut disokong pengundi-pengundi Melayu di kawasan pilihan rayanya itu. Pada mulanya dia sendiri terkejut apabila dimaklumkan sebahagian besar pengundi Melayu yang merupakan 20 peratus keseluruhan pemilihan berdaftar dalam kawasan Parlimen Alam Maya telah memangkahnya.

Ini satu perkembangan luar biasa. Tidak mungkin mereka menyokong aku, bisik hatinya. Tetapi apabila dimaklumkan oleh para pekerja parti bahawa pengundi Melayu di semua peti undi telah beralih arah mendokongnya, dia menerimanya dengan fikiran terbuka. Baguslah kalau orang Melayu menerima perjuangan Malaysia Barunya.

Tidak puas hati bermonolog dengan perasaannya, YB J secara spontan berpaling kepada Ahmad, pemandunya yang sejak tadi tekun dengan tugasnya.

“Kamu fakir saya anti-Islam, anti-Melayu?”

Pertanyaan

Ahmad yang sudah menghampiri usia bersara itu tidak menjawab, seolah-olah dia tidak mendengar pertanyaan itu. Matanya tertumpu ke jalan raya. Tugasnya adalah untuk mempastikan YB J selamat ke majlis yang ingin dihadirinya. Dan tiba tepat pada waktunya. Majlis itu penting kerana YB J akan mengadakan dialog dengan generasi muda seketurunan dengannya yang belajar di luar negara tetapi kebetulan berada di tanah air kerana bercuti. Ahmad sendiri tidak pasti sama ada pelajar yang pernah mempersendakan lagu Negara Ku sewaktu menuntut di sebuah universiti di Seberang Laut turut berada dalam kelompok itu. Kalau pun ada, pemandu YB J tidak ambil pusing. Budak itu memang kurang ajar. Ada ke patut Malaysia dianggap sebagai Negara Kuku (ejaan Inggerisnya cuckoo) yang bermaksud gila. Dan kreativiti digunakan untuk menghalalkan perbuatan biadapnya itu. Cuma Ahmad berfikir kalau semua orang dibiarkan menghina lagu Kebangsaan dengan lirik yang memperlekehkan kehidupan orang Islam, dan atas nama kreativiti, maka kesannya terhadap perhubungan kaum adalah negatif.

Ahmad tidak tahu apakah yang sebenarnya mengganggu bosnya itu sejak dari tadi lagi. Dia jarang begitu. Ahmad dapat mengesan YB J lain macam sahaja pagi itu. Dia dapat membaca keresahan dan kegelisahan YB J. Seolah-olah ada sesuatu yang tidak kena walaupun apa yang sebenarnya berkocak di dalam diri YB J dia tidak pasti. Sepanjang ingatan Ahmad, YB J juga tidak pernah berbual dengannya tentang politik, apa lagi tentang isu-isu semasa - kecuali memberi arahan yang ada kaitan dengan perjalanan atau jadual kerja. YB J juga tidak bertanya sama ada dia mengundi pom atau parti apa pada pilihan raya yang lalu.

Lazimnya, sepanjang perjalanan, baik ke pejabat atau majlis-majlis rasmi dan tidak rasmi yang lain, YB J akan menghabiskan masa membaca akhbar atau membelek-belek fail. Tetapi pagi itu YB J lain macam sahaja. Dia kelihatan resah. Gelisah. Fikirannya juga seolah-olah tidak menentu. Apa yang dibuat serba tak kena. Sekejap dia membelek ucapan utama yang akan disampaikan sebentar lagi menghuraikan gagasan Politik Baru Malaysia Baru yang dipeloporinya. Sekejap dia membelek akhbar-akhbar yang memang menemani YB J ke mana juga dia pergi.

Ahmad cuba mencongak mungkin keresahan YB J ada kaitan dengan suhu politik negara sedang panas ketika itu. Bahangnya terasa di mana-mana. POM sendiri sedang menghadapi pergolakan yang hebat berkait dengan kepimpinannya. Pertarungan kepentingan puak-puak di dalam parti sedang mengambil tempatnya. Kalaulah tidak kerana kedudukan politik kerajaan agak lemah selepas kehilangan majoriti dua pertiga, sudah lama Operasi Lalang, seperti yang pernah dibuat pada 1987, dilaksanakan, agaknya. Mungkin juga tidak kerana di bawah kepimpinan sekarang, kerajaan mengambil sikap yang lebih liberal terhadap para pengkritiknya.

Ahmad juga terfikir mungkin perasaan YB J terganggu dengan tindakan kalangan yang tidak diketahui siapa mereka melempar bom petrol ke rumah keluarga ahli Parlimen Sepohon Beringin, Su Lan. Barangkali, fikir Ahmad, YB J, bimbang kejadian yang sama boleh menimpa diri atau keluarganya.

Mana tahu selepas keluarga Su Lan, bosnya YB J pula yang menjadi mangsa. Dan yang dilempar itu bom betul-betul. Meletup pula. Tidakkah nahas YB J. Sekonyong-konyong Ahmad terbayang kejadian letupan bom berani mati yang berlaku di Damsyik, Syria yang ditonton menerusi Buletin Utama di TV3 beberapa hari lalu. Kalau kejadian yang sudah menghiasi kehidupan harian di Iraq, Israel, Tebing Barat, Gaza atau Afghanistan itu menular di negara ini, alangkah malangnya bumi bertuah ini. Minta disimpang malaikat 44, Ahmad berkata sendirian di dalam hatinya.

Tetapi fikir Ahmad, amaran kalau tidak diendahkan berbahaya. Dia teringat apa yang diceritakan berlaku pada 13 Mei 1969. Bapanya menceritakan dalam tragedi selepas pilihan raya umum pada 10 Mei itu, orang Cina dan Melayu berbunuh-bunuhan. Perjuangan yang mahu menafikan hak-hak istimewa orang Melayu dan kaum bumiputera lain yang dijamin oleh Perlembagaan Persekutuan, tidak dapat diterima oleh mereka. Kata-kata kesat dan menghina orang Melayu oleh para penyokong parti-parti pembangkang sewaktu berarak meraikan kemenangan besar di Kuala Lumpur dan bandar-bandar utama lain pada pilihan raya 1969 itu tidak dapat ditelan oleh orang Melayu. Parang yang terbiar tumpul selama ini diasah tajam. Dalam keadaan itu tercetuslah pergaduhan yang dahsyat menyebabkan Parlimen digantung dan pemerintahan darurat diisytiharkan. Negara diletakkan di bawah perintah berkurung. Ahmad sendiri belum lahir ketika itu. Tidak lama selepas itu, peralihan kuasa berlaku daripada Tunku Abdul Rahman kepada timbalannya, Tun Abdul Razak.

“Mat, saya ni anti-Melayu dan anti-Islam ke?,” YB J secara mendadak mengulang semula pertanyaannya apabila tiada jawapan daripada pemandunya.

Ahmad, yang sejak tadi membisu seribu bahasa selamba menjawab: “Mungkin tidak YB.” Dia memberi jawapan berlapik. Maksudnya: Mungkin tidak, mungkin ya bergantung pada mata yang menilai.

“Apa maksud kamu mungkin tidak.”

" Ini soal persepsi YB. Persepsinya begitulah. Hakikatnya YB tidak membenci Melayu tidak juga membenci Islam. YB sekadar memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum YB. Tidak salah YB berbuat demikian. Kalau YB tidak memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum YB sendiri, siapa lagi. Tetapi cara YB itu barangkali disalahertikannya.”

“Maksud kamu?" Tanya YB J yang masih belum jelas lagi.

Bergantung

“Yalah, ia bergantung pada mata yang memandang. Bukan sahaja di kalangan orang Melayu, tetapi di kalangan bukan Melayu. YB kena ingat di kalangan bukan Melayu pun bukan semuanya menerima politik baru Malaysia baru YB. Kalau tidak masakan parti satu kaum seperti Parti Orang Cina (POC) masih boleh bertahan.”

“Apa maksud kamu. Saya tidak begitu jelas?"

“Yalah bagi YB perjuangan YB adalah pelbagai kaum. Tetapi dalam tindak tanduk, perjuangan pelbagai kaum YB itu tidak tertonjol. YB mahu menghapuskan tulisan jawi dan ganti dengan tulisan Cina . Bagi mereka itu bukan perjuangan pelbagai kaum. Ia perjuangan satu kaum. Kalau benar pelbagai kaum, YB patut mempertahankan tulisan jawi.” Ahmad memberanikan diri untuk memberikan pandangannya.

Mengesan bosnya ingin mendengar pandangannya lagi, Ahmad berkata: “Patutnya kalau YB benar-benar ingin menjadi pejuang pelbagai kaum, kepentingan orang Melayu jangan diketepikan sewaktu mengetengahkan kepentingan kaum Cina. YB perjuangkan kepentingan kedua-duanya sekali. Penerimaannya saya pasti berbeza. YB akan dilihat sebagai mahu menjaga kepentingan kaum YB, tetapi pada waktu yang sama tidak menafikan hak orang Melayu.”

Itu perjuangan POM dan POC, dengus YB J di dalam hatinya. Bosan aku dengan Si Ahmad ini, dia berkata sendirian. Aku penganjur politik baru dan tidak mahu terikat dengan kerangka politik lama, katanya lagi kepada dirinya.

Perbualan YB J dengan pemandunya habis di situ sahaja. Dia tidak mahu lagi mendengar pandangan karut pemandunya. Dia mahu terus melayan perasaan: Aku percaya pada Politik Baru Malaysia Baru, tegas YB J pada dirinya. Setiap warganegara, tanpa mengira apa keturunan mereka patut diberi hak yang sama mengikut undang-undang. Tidak ada bangsa yang patut diberi layanan istimewa. Tidak ada warga yang patut diberi darjat atau kelas kedua. Kita semua orang Malaysia.

YB J enggan melayan Ahmad lagi. Sebaliknya, dia membelek akhbar Utusan Malaysia yang secara rasmi diboikot oleh partinya. Perhatiannya tertumpu pada artikel berjudul Jangan Padam Rekod Negara yang ditulis oleh seorang generasi muda Cina yang menolak tesis politik baru Malaysia baru.

Ah, satu lagi propaganda yang memperlekehkan kaum aku, dengus hati YB J. Jangan-

jangan yang menulis artikel ini orang Melayu. Mereka masih menganggap kaum aku sebagai berketurunan pendatang. Tidak guna punya generasi baru. Dengus YB J. Bisik hatinya lagi: Betullah dulu nenek moyang aku berhijrah ke bumi bertuah ini untuk mencari kekayaan, membebaskan diri mereka daripada kemiskinan dan keperitan hidup di China. Itu dulu. Generasi Cina sekarang sudah menjadi warganegara Malaysia dan mereka hendaklah dilayan seperti warganegara Malaysia..

Dikejutkan

Sedang YB J asyik dengan lamunannya, dia dikejutkan dengan suara pemandunya yang memaklumkan, “Kita sudah sampai YB.”

Menunggu dia di luar ialah para penganjur dialog yang bakal berlangsung. Salah seorang daripada mereka membuka pintu kereta YB J, bersalaman dengannya dan memperkenalkannya dengan ahli jawatankuasa penganjur yang lain. Diiringi oleh mereka, YB J dibawa ke pentas. Menurut kiraannya ada 500 orang di dalam dewan pagi itu. Dia bangga dengan kehadiran begitu ramai anak bangsanya yang ingin bertemu dengannya. Apa yang lebih membanggakan YB J ialah mereka belajar luar negara dengan biayai sendiri, bukannya bantuan kerajaan.

Selepas ucapan-ucapan aluan oleh pengerusi penganjur selesai, YB J dijemput untuk memberi ucapannya. Inilah detik-detik yang ditunggu-tunggu oleh YB J. Gagasan politik baru Malaysia barunya akan dihebahkan kepada dunia bebas. Dia teringat buku Kee Thuan Chye yang berjudul 8 Mac The Day Malaysian Woke Up. Momentum rakyat Malaysia atau lebih tepat lagi warga bukan Melayu Malaysia yang sudah jaga dari lena itu mesti ditingkatkan. Pagi itu dia berazam untuk berbuat demikian.

Tetapi tanpa diketahui oleh YB J, di kalangan 500 orang generasi muda yang hadir pada pagi itu ada yang tidak setuju dengan pandangan politiknya itu. Salah seorang daripada mereka berazam untuk membetulkan penyimpangan politik YB J dengan caranya yang tersendiri.

Apabila YB J bangun untuk menuju ke rostrum ucapan, seorang anak muda dari belakang pentas berjalan tenang menuju ke arahnya. YB J tersenyum kepadanya. Dia menyangka anak muda seketurunan dengannya ingin mengiringinya ke rostrum atau bersalaman dengannya.

YB J menghulurkan tangan. Tiba-tiba YB J tergaman dan berdiri kaku. Dia tidak percaya dengan apa yang dilihatnya. Tergenggam erat pada tangan anak muda yang seolah-olah mahu membalas salam tangan yang dihulur itu ialah sepucuk pistol jenis Revolver yang betul-betul diajukan ke arah dada YB J.

Tanpa berkata apa-apa, anak muda itu melepaskan beberapa das tembakan. Salah satu daripadanya tepat mengenai jantung YB J. Dia rebah ke lantai.

Para hadirin menjadi panik. Mereka yang berada di atas pentas turut tergamam melihat apa yang berlaku. Kejadian menjadi hiruk-pikuk dan tidak terkawal. Pihak penganjur yang tidak menduga kejadian malang itu berlaku, tidak tahu berbuat apa-apa. Beberapa orang anggota polis berpakaian preman yang menjadi tetamu yang tidak diundang dalam majlis itu, meluru ke arah pentas. Rakan-rakan mereka yang berpakaian seragam yang berkawal di luar juga bergegas masuk ke dewan.

Tetapi belum sempat mereka berbuat apa-apa, kedengaran beberapa das tembakan lagi. Kali ini yang rebah adalah anak muda itu sendiri.

Apabila pihak polis tiba di tempat kejadian, kedua-dua mereka - YB J dan anak muda yang berpakaian kemas itu, sudah tidak lagi bernyawa.

Sewaktu pemeriksaan dibuat ke atas mayat anak muda yang tidak dikenali itu, terselit sehelai nota yang ditaip rapi, ditulis dalam bahasa Kebangsaan.

Ia berbunyi: YB Josephine adalah ancaman terhadap keharmonian. Lebih baik riwayatnya ditamatkan supaya masyarakat berbilang kaum boleh tinggal aman damai di negara bertuah ini. Saya berkorban untuk masa depan.

Familiar? I'm sure...to all Malaysians. It's starting to cause an uproar in the blogosphere, but hardly a ripple in the mainstream media. I can't believe the individuals involved here could be doing this on their own without prior consent from the powers-that-be.

Right from the Ahmad Ismail saga to the ISA arrests, to the demonisation as well as now the banning of HINDRAF, I'm sure these guys are trying to instigate racial discord and disharmony - as much as to incite racial riots as they succesfully did 40 years ago.

Let us level-headed Malaysians keep our cool and vote these people out the next election, the democratic way. Otherwise, DSAI, please hurry and complete your takeover of the government!!

Eeeek...

The US Debt Clock at Times Square, New York...note that there weren't enough spaces to fit the numbers so the '1' had to be added to the $ space!!

That's America for you...the biggest debtor in the World!

Pleasant Surprise

OK, I normally don't watch Malaysian copycat TV programmes; unfortunately I was forced to watch this over the weekend as a part of a management assignment! Obviously this is a clone of The Apprentice, with a Malaysian flavour; I had little expectation but came away pleasantly surprised. It's not original but somehow I feel refreshed watching it.

I didn't get such a feeling watching The Apperentice, so what's the difference? Perhaps it's because I can relate to the Malaysian-ness of the contestants as well as their tasks. Or perhaps I can now truly relate to the actual life in the corporate world.

Anyway next week would be the grand finale: two ladies slugging it out to be the winner. And for once I may give the BPL a skip...

Nosedive...

Sick...this is what the current economic turmoil does to my stock holdings...luckily for me this is not real money...

But then again I'm outperforming my benchmark...wonder whether I could be a part-time fund manager??!! Anyway, I still got it pretty good...last I heard a country was going bankrupt!!

Pak Lah - Packed and Ready To Go?

Well, the expected has happened - belatedly: Pak Lah is ready to go by March 2009. Of course this is not unexpected; his tenure had its writing on the wall ever since the historic March 8th election 'tsunami'. Good riddance?

Well the change of government did not happen as promised. Now we have the spectre of Muhd Najib taking over...for better or for worse? I think a lot of Chinese have not forgotten nor forgiven for his 'keris' incident as UMNO Youth Leader in 1987 - so obviously there's 20% of votes BN will have to miss the next election! As for me, I'm more concerned on whether he is capable enough to take over the reins of the Government...no doubt he is more alert than Sleepyhead, but how about economically? He is the Finance Minister, no? As it is he has already shown his economic naivety by declaring that Malaysia's relative 'solidity' in the midst of the worldwide economic financial meltdown...wonder what he will say next?

He still has the Altantuya murder case hanging around his neck, despite his Mosque swearings in late August; I don't think he will ever shake off the impression that he is somehow involved in the murder. I believe it too, after all there's no smoke without fire. Apparently there is a rumour that the PI Bala has been paid RM 5 million to 'disappear' by his wife...well only God knows the truth. And to think if he had gained so much from Defence contract commissions when he was Defence Minister, how many fingers would he have in Bank Negara's pot? Scary thought isn't it?

Despite this 'orderly' transition of power in UMNO, there lies more uncertainty ahead for the country. Falling oil prices means lower inflationary pressure but reduced income too. And with palm oil prices falling sharply, two of the main income generators for the country would be sharply blunted. Exports? We can forget about that since the world is about to enter a global recession. Consumer spending? Have you seen the 1998 Asian Financial crisis? Who was spending then? Government pump-priming? Err, where is the money coming from?

But till then Pak Lah is still in power...will he lay silently, or take the last five months to do something he can be remembered by? He can forget about the five things he wants to change on his list...it won't come to fruition, not in his time anyway. But there is one thing he could do! Repeal the ISA of course! Wishful thinking? Maybe...but stranger things have happened in Bolehland!

Man-glish

I lifted this from Horror of Malaysian Education System at Lim Kit Siang's blog...dunno whether this is a true incident, but if it is then those editors at NST should be sacked right?

I'm not sure whether to be more amused or horrified, but anyway enjoy...

What Freedom?

Hhmmph...so much for freedom of speech!! Malaysia Today website blocked! By the order of the MCMC...reason being something lame, of course!

No wonder a lot of people can't access the site...however enterprising individuals have already put up alternatives to access the site. So much for trying MCMC...but the voice of the majority cannot be silenced that easily!!

Well, let these BN idiots will continue to screw themselves - their time is up anyway...

Congratulations DSAI for your resounding victory yesterday - please don't let us down...we now wait patiently for change...

Believe It Or Not?

So much has changed in the Malaysian political landscape since the March 8 'tsunami'...and so much more recently: so much until I don't know what to believe anymore! It's mind boggling the amount of manoeuvering, jabs, gibberish so and so forth, that goes on in this country, that it bemuses me. The truth is probably twisted and turned so much that no one could differentiate it anymore!

Let's just take the Anwar Sodomy II scandal...can the government really think the Malaysian people will believe this? Especially how the first played out for all sundry to see? Still the whole incident this time around, is made out to be like a second-grade Malaysian made sandiwara which probably irritates, rather than amuses, most sane-thinking Malaysians! And this recent flourish of statuory declarations and swearings...oh brother!!!

Now the upcoming Permatang Pauh battle - so much mud-slinging, vote-buying, allegations, scandals blah blah - that it is probably is, if not truly is, the dirtiest election in Malaysian history. And we common Malaysians have to put up with this for another three days? Oh well, if it brings an end to all this shenanigans then so be it...

Oh, petrol price came down to RM 2.55 per litre yesterday...a few days after our PM said that it will not go down before September 1st...but then again what do we expect from a flip-flopping PM? Will he flip again if world oil prices climb? That we will have to see now won't we?

Wow, and what publicity he gets!!! He was splashed all over the mainstream newspapers on Friday when he decided to try out the LRT and KTM Komuter services - declaring it inadequate and needs much improvement...ya know I was watching the RTM coverage of his trip and I can't help wondering how empty the trains were in the pics...so I can't really believe he took the trains during rush hour. Nope...definitely not. Anyway my questions are these: why now after 5 years (and 2 years after declaring the money saved from petrol subsidies will be used to improve the public transport system) does he happily decide to hop on the trains, and why the hell is the Transport Minister isn't with him? Hhmmmph....we'll have to see whether there'll be any changes to the situation in the near future...which I can almost confidently predict is....none.

Well, Lee Chong Wei failed to win Malaysia an Olympic gold - but he gets RM 300,000, RM 3,000 lifetime pension and a Datukship for his silver medal effort! Not bad for a week's work don't you think? Datukship you say? Hmm, maybe more deserved than most of the Datuk's nowadays but I won't get into it. And as usual sports 'stars' are to be used as BN propaganda tools...I hope that his visit to Permatang Pauh won't signal his downfall like his compatriots. Remember how our former No. 1 doubles pair were used in last year's Machap by-election after winning the All-England finals? Where are they now? Hopefully history will not repeat itself...and thankfully Datuk-to-be Nicole David is not used for such cheap publicity stunts...we can leave that to our Datuk space tourist (incidentally wtf, for being a lazy bum in HUKM and basically doing nothing in space??)...

Sigh...so much for Merdeka next week...I wish for Merdeka from all this bullshit!!

A Song

I only realised there was a nice theme song for the Olympics after stumbling into it this afternoon...I don't think it's the official one but hey it's great music!

Well there are a lot of artistes I don't know in there...anyone care to give me some info?

Phe-nomena-lps

Wow, you've got to hand it to Michael Phelps! A record 8 gold medals in the Olympics - the first ever person to do so - and a few World records under his belt too...I had my doubts but he did it. Just sheer hard work and perseverance; with a little bit of luck and help too. Well that is what the Olympics are all about.

And talking about the Olympics, I guess all Malaysians will be glued to the TV tonight, when we have a chance at our nation's first ever Olympic gold medal. Yup, Lee Chong Wei is up against his nemesis Lin Dan in the men's badminton finals. While the whole country prays for his success, it is yet again sheer hard work and perseverance that brought him to the cusp of Olympic gold. If he does win it, let us hope that it will not get to his head...and perhaps as a just reward, a Datukship may be in order too?

And yes the English Premiership 2008/2009 has kicked off last night!! Oh another lacklustre display from Liverpool - but the brilliance of Fernando Torres made sure the three points. Talent he has in hatfuls, but yet again what is talent without hard work and determination? Let's hope of better things to come...

AspireOne

OK this is my new ultra-mobile PC...Acer AspireOne...yeah yeah I know that I've mentioned that I'd never buy another Acer PC, but why not give them another chance?






Well the verdict so far? Great!! I love the better and crisper screen resolution compared to my previous EePC and the smooth, sleek feel and loook to the PC. The Wi-fi is fantastic and works very well; good battery life, nearly 3 hrs per use; I had a bit of a problem with the memory card reader, but it's working (will pay attention to it...) so far. Perhaps my only grouse is that the free 'case' is actually a soft plastic sleeve...could have been better if it was closed like the one given with the EeePC. And at RM 1399 the price is not too steep either.

Anyway I love the portability and that is good enough for me...for now!

Senseless!

What a fucked up day!! No thanks to the police of course!! What the hell were they trying to do? Setting up roadblocks to almost all entrances to the city...I myself was caught in the jam for 1 1/2 hours on the Federal highway for a 15 km drive!!! And when you reach the roadblock site you see the policemen chatting and laughing among themselves...so wtf?

Who's gonna pay for the wasted time, wasted petrol burnt needlessly in the jam, the people who get laid off because they are late for work, missed appointments, missed business opportunities bla bla... Yeah who's gonna pay??? I probably burnt 30km worth of petrol (and probably a few days of my life due to the excess stress) yesterday and had to refill my tank earlier than expected!

And our esteemed Prime Minister has this to say...

The Prime Minister blamed the situation on those who planned to hold demonstrations and said the police were only doing their job of maintaining order and public safety.

First of all I don't think there was ever ANY planned demonstration!!! And the government was so stupid and senseless to fall hook, line and sinker for rumours, and going overboard with their response!! Just goes to show the mentality of the BN today, doing anything and everything to maintain their tenuous grip on power!

And secondly...I just wonder whose safety are the police trying to safeguard???

Thank you BN for another 'projek rakyat'!!???

Birthday!!

Wow for the first time in 10 years some people actually remember my birthday...guess I must thank Facebook! Well to me birthdays are nothing special...I tend to work during my birthdays anyway...

This year I had dinner yesterday, a lunch today and had a shirt given to me for my birthday...not to mention the numerous e-cards (via Facebook of course!) I got...well at least it reminds me that there are still those out there who still care about me...

Chess playing at The Curve

A fountain to boot

Can you spot the error?

Where we had my birthday lunch...

Two types of beer...can't tell the difference? Neither could we...

Some salmon thingy...

My chicken breast and cocktail

For those who can't remember how Linus looks...

Thank you everybody!

Need To Vent

OK I need to do this before everything I've worked for these years go down the drain...I mean my self-control.

I've been very upset and angry this last few days after finding out that a friend of mine wrote about an incident that happened between me and another common friend a few years back. In his blog. Well I guess he thought his blog was a secret...obviously not. This is not the first time he had wrote negatively about me. But somehow this time I took it rather badly for some reason. Or perhaps it's a cumulative effects of all the various pieces he had written...I don't know.

I do not want to mention further about what he had written - I guess he is entitled to his opinion. It's after some reflection I realise he looks down on me (and other similar friends) for one sole reason: that I've never been in a relationship with a girl. Well we are both professionals, successful (in our own separate ways), well-to-do...what else could it be I wonder. The only difference is that he is married with kids and I am (happily I might add) single. Does that mean he is superior to me? Well he thinks so.

I've rejected his help in looking for my future partner may times. Perhaps that riled him, I dunno. He thinks that I am a failure that I've not been able to find someone of the opposite sex on my own. He has mentioned this publicly before too. So in his eyes I'm a failure as a person, and he thinks he has the right to run (individuals like) me down as he sees fit. Mind you, I'm not the only person he has done so on the blog. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) for my other friend, he does not know the existence of this blog...otherwise let's say there'll be lots of fireworks.

I've ignored his opinions of me all this while because I felt it was not important. Truthfully I am sensitive to how people look at me...not that I am too bothered, but I want to be a person that lives a principled and mostly right, life. I appreciate and seed feedback because I believe it will help me improve myself. But not this kind of feedback!!

So if you happen to read this (you'll know who you are), fuck off and leave me alone!!! And mind your own fucking business - my love life (or lack of it) is none of your fucking business!!!!

OK now that's out...I feel better...sorry for the language...now I can carry on with my life!

Reminisce...

Collection of my schoolmates photos cobbled up from our 'reunions'...

Seaport School Class of '91 Reunion 2008

Our photographer was not that skilled...too bad this was the only 'good' shot available (the other was much much worse...)

So this is the best we have...

Unofficial Dinner Reunion May 2008

Wedding 'Reunion' May 2008

I think this is the only schoolmate's wedding I've been to...ZOMG...

When God Speaks...

Ya know, I have not been to church for the last ten years...so when I first entered the church in Penang two months ago, I knew I was getting myself into something - trouble perhaps. I had isolated myself from Him for so long; I'd never expected to hear Him speak. But speak He did...not in a powerful way, but in a gentle whisper. I could not help but be amazed - He still remembers, and so do I. Unfortunately nothing changed inwardly. But something did change - something that I did not realise...

So from then on I made the decision to attend church services. So OK, nothing very fancy - the worship, the sermons etc. But each time I was there I felt myself drawn closer to Him. I still have not joined a cell group. But I still attended church services - seemed that each time He spoke to me.

Last week there was an announcement on a renewal/revival meeting in church this whole week. As usual I was skeptical, but He knew better. My heart was restless on Saturday and Sunday...I knew I had to go. He was calling to me. Monday night was a special night. The sermon was about God's power. I prayed like I've never prayed before...and then it came. God gave me a vision - not about myself, but for another person; and some instructions as well. There was no mistaking it. He really spoke to me that night - loud and clear. Tuesday night I felt his presence too, perhaps to a lesser extent. On Wednesday I was restless again. I felt that there was something He wanted to tell me, of which I could not understand. I prayed for clarity - and He answered. I may not like it, but well, if that is what He wants me to do, then yes God I will do it.

Yes I was on the other side of the fence. I had experienced life without God beside me. I was hungry and thirsty yet I did not realise it. But when I did I was hesitant. Yet now I know I need not have worried; he accepted me like the prodigal son I was. How can I not continue to walk with Him from now on?

Happy 100k Car!

Yay, my car's now 100,000 km old!!!!!! Sad to say that I'm about to change to a new one...but we definitely had good times together!! From Peninsula to Sabah and back again...it never failed me at all these last ten years. It's sad to part ways...sob sob...

East Java and Bali: May 2008 (Part One)

Back from a much needed holiday! And my first outside the country in 4 years (if you can call a day trip into Singapore a holiday!) and my first since Perth in 1997. Now that's a long time to take a holiday, no? I'm not a holiday person, preferring to sit in front of the computer, but when Alan asked me I just couldn't say no (partly due to the 'begging' he did over the phone...)

So we were in East Java and Bali from 25-30 May: basically we went to Mt Bromo, Ijen Crater and finally ended up in Bali...it was great and fun, especially the East Java portion; Bali was fun too, though we ended up in the beach a lot...

Well I think I'll upload the photos first - not all of them are available yet - and fill in the gaps along the way...

Enjoy!

Day One and Two: 25-26 May 2008

Left my place at 6.30 a.m.; met up with Alan at KL Sentral - took a Skybus to LCCT (they used the new Putrajaya Highway) and reached by 8.30 a.m.. A very long line at the check-in counter - took us nearly an hour to get our bags checked in! By the time that was done it was time to board the plane. Flight to Surabaya took 2 1/2 hours.: fairly comfortable and uneventful...though the meals were nothing to shout about.

We had to get to Probolinggo (which is the gateway to Mt Bromo) from Surabaya; tried hiring a 'taxi' but was way too expensive...instead we settled for public transport...

Main Surabaya Bus Station - gateway to Probolinggo/Mt Bromo

Didn't catch it here, but there are a lot of people coming in to sell stuff - irrespective whether the bus is moving or not!

On the way to Probolinggo

Ooh...they've got tolls too! At least it is relatively cheaper...

Padi fields and open burning

Sleeping rickshaw driver and closed shops...

The journey to Probolinggo took another 2 1/2 hours...it was 5 pm by the time we reached Probolinggo and growing dark. We managed to to arrange for a 'tour package' to Mt Bromo and Ijen Crater for 1.1M Rp (approx RM 375)...expensive but at least we took care of the hassle of traveling! Another one hour up windy and dark roads to the 'base camp'; stayed overnight at Camera Indah Hotel - basic but without hot water mostly! And that at an elevation of nearly 2000+m above sea level...brrrr...

Our hotel at the base of Mt Bromo: Camera Indah

So we woke up at 3.30 a.m. - damn it was cold even with multiple layers of clothing!! A one hour hour drive up at the back of a jeep to Mt Penanjakan which gives a good view of Mt Bromo and Mt Semeru. Both Mt Bromo and Semeru are active volcanoes - and are open to tourists!! So for those who are adventurous out there...an idea perhaps? We are there that early to catch the morning sunrise...

Had to travel to the base of Mt Penanjakan by jeep

At Mt. Penanjakan, 2770m above sea level

All the early birds to catch...

...these views of the sunrise! Err...these are the views away from Mt Bromo...

The Mt. Bromo complex: Mt Semeru is the smoking volcano in the background;
Mt Bromo is covered in steam while in the foreground is Mt Batok

My camera ain't good in low light - the lights represent the base camp at foot of Mt Bromo

Actually if you note the two pics carefully - the whole Mt Bromo complex actually lies in an old caldera with a clearly visible rim - I'll try to get a composite pic...

In brighter lights...the fog streaming down the rim of the caldera is just so beautiful...

Mt Semeru erupting - it erupts on average of once an hour!

Mt Bromo complex in the morning sun...

Mt Batok

Mt Bromo close-up


One last view of the mountain


Some of the drivers and guides waiting for the guests to come back down


Another view of the mountain complex lower down Mt Penanjakan


There goes Mt Semeru again...

So we went down to the jeep parking area near the base of Mt Bromo at about 7 am; once there we were immediately surrounded by people offering a horse ride to the base of the mountain!!! Well we could either ride the horse or walk - we decided to walk. It was a tough one for me - out of shape and all, not to mention the asthmatic attack I developed! - but we got there eventually. There it was up 230 steps to the top of the mountain...

At the jeep parking area: misty and foggy, you can opt to walk or have a horse ride


View from atop Mt Bromo; Mt Penanjakan is in the background


You can see the trail we went through once the fog/mist cleared slightly


Looking down the 230 steps it took to get up!


Mt Batok close-up from Mt Bromo


Part of the viewing area


Smoking: an active volcano


Exhilarated!

We only spent about an hour and a half up there - we had to get back to base camp to catch our transport to Ijen Crater. To be fast we took the horse ride down!!! Anyway we had our breakfast at 9.00 a.m. and was back down to Probolinggo by 9.30 a.m.

Mt Bromo and Mt Batok from base camp

Mt Batok...Mt Penanjakan on the right

Mt Bromo close-up...can you see the stairs up?

A Hindu temple at the base of Mt Bromo

There goes Mt Semeru...yet again!

That's it for Mt Bromo...next: Ijen Crater!