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!

Young Talents

Malaysia?

Blog: Interview with RPK

I missed this cuz I had a wedding dinner...







All I gotta say is...RTM needs better hosts!

Stolen!

Wow, has it been that long since I last posted? Didn't feel like it was six weeks! How time flies...

Anyway I think I better start posting again - have been side tracked by work and Facebook. Especially this new Warbook sequel called Rise of the Infernals. Must work hard to maintain my character in the game...and of course that takes up an inordinate amount of time...

Well, sad to say my eeePC got stolen from my hotel room in Teluk Intan last night. The person was smart enough to take the charger too! Curses to the person who stole it.... No I was not careless. I locked the door and went for makan plus surfing and was gone when I came back. Apparently the hotel was 'targeted' as four other rooms were hit as well; and according to the police another two hotels in the town were also hit. Wow...organised crime...Malaysia Boleh! Had to make a police report - being the responsible Malaysian citizen I was - which took me into the early morning, a bit slow but the report-making process was smooth. But I am skeptical about them finding it though...

Sigh...it was good while it lasted. Now I have to use my Income tax refunds to buy a new one...oh well...

VDay + 8

OK, it's a week since that historic 12th General Election. What has happened since then? Here's a summary of the news that grabbed headlines:

1. Bowing out gracefully? Or not?
Disgraced heads of MCA, Gerakan and MIC declined cabinet posts, citing the need to concentrate on rebuilding their battered parties. All except, you-know-who...he's really still sleeping and in dreamland! Most gracious of the lot is Koh Tsu Koon; the worst, as expected is Samy Vellu. That guy doesn't know when to quit, now does he?

2. Of Chief Minister and Menteri Besars
Lim Guan Eng's elevation to the top post in Penang went smoothly. So did the appointment of the PAS Kedah Menteri Besar. A row in Perak: DAP (in this case the Central Committee) was against the wishes of the Sultan to appoint a PAS assemblyman as the Menteri Besar. Lim Kit Siang was bashed left, right and centre on MSM as well as cyberspace; common space finally prevailed - the swearing-in ceremony will be held tomorrow. As expected, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim was appointed Selangor Menteri Besar. A battle looms in Perlis, where Sleepyhead's choice Shahidan Kassim was snubbed by the Sultan, who has chosen another. Similar problem may be brewing in Terengganu, as Idris Jusoh's swearing-in ceremony had been postponed.

3. Burying secrets?
News of Selangor civil servants shredding secret documents caught headlines. Really, if there's nothing to hide...there's nothing to hide. Apparently Khir Toyo has got some skeletons in his closet. Let's wait for the outcome! And did he really sign a concession agreement with Puncak Niaga the day before the elections?

4. There is a God...
The Warlord of Klang dies of a heart attack. Fair justice and an omen, some people say. God has finally punished someone for his transgressions...too bad his family would have to live with the sins of the father. And what about his palace? Some say, turn it into a museum to showcase UMNO excesses...good idea, and would generate income for the state coffers!

5. Street protests not the Malaysian way?
Ha ha...this really takes the cake. A few months earlier, UMNO has come out condemning the street protests of BERSIH and HINDRAF - not the Malaysian way, they proclaimed then. So why the hell, the protests at Komtar on Friday? Because of the published reports (again of course in the MSM) of abolishing the NEP in Penang? Apparently, it is said that most of the protesters were not even from Penang!! That's UMNO for you...perhaps they should have been sprayed with chemically-laced water and tear-gassed! Now that would be fair justice!

6. Twists and turns
The forked-tongue of the MSM is all and sundry to see. But with five states under the Opposition, they have to be more careful; of course there's more targets, but they're lead by capable individuals. Even Bernama had to apologise for their 'misquoting' of Lim Guan Eng's NEP statement. Hey, an omission (I think, on purpose) of a few words - in this case - certain practises - brings about a abrupt change in meaning. I hope this buggers be brought to court and their pants sued off!

7. The end is near?
There has been constant speculation on the future of Mr. Sleepyhead. I think he knows that his time has finally come. The BN component parties may rally behind him (as a show of unity only-lah), but realistically the cracks are already showing. From the snubbing of his choices for Perlis Menteri Besar, to the most recent call of resignation by Mukhriz Mahathir, he must really have seen the writing on the wall. Unless he is really sleeping. Some say that he needs to appoint SIL as a minister before he leaves - that would probably hasten his departure. In any case, I'm sure UMNO will throw him out come the UMNO elections... Bow out gracefully or be humiliated out? That's his choice...

8. Economic worries
The stock market took a big hit of course, especially the Government-linked counters; and especially those with contracts and interests in the Opposition states. Worst hit is Equine Capital (PGCC, Patrick Badawi) whose mega project is likely to be under scrutiny; KPS and water related-stocks in Selangor, where the Pahang-Selangor interstate water-transfer project would now be under close scrutiny. Of course construction and property-related stocks in these states are under heavy pressure. Anyway I feel the local market will recover once all the political uncertainties have been cleared away. Hopefully, the increased transparency and crackdown on corruption (and abolishment of the NEP-practices) would prove to be the main investment-attracting changes this election would bring about!

So this is the tumultuous first week for Malaysia. Let's gear up for the second week!

Another Missing Child

Well, we haven't even found little Sharlinie yet, and now the police have another case on their hands! Personally I think this maybe a case of a runaway, as it is not that easy to kidnap an 11 year-old, but then again I could be wrong...

Again the nation's prayers are with the family...so over to you Polis Di-Raja Malaysia!

More Threats!

This article really makes my blood boil. It is evident some dungus in UMNO still do not want to face reality. You want to make a threat like that? I'm sure the blood of Penangites - of all races - will boil too...and will show these idiots the door the next election. Hoi, the people have spoken and not afraid of threats anymore! The more you push away, the more you will lose...

And oh, Mr. State Opposition...you wanna see what the Opposition can do? Let them win the elections and give them five years of the country's resources to do so...then we will see what they can do!

A New Malaysia...hopefully

Well, I guess Malaysians woke up to a shell-shocked government and Opposition - the former never expected to be hit so bad, the latter never expected to win so big. But that is the reality on 9th March 2008. The despised BN had lost their 2/3 majority, and also lost Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor to the loose coalition of DAP, PKR and PAS. While there is some sense of stability in the fact that BN would continue to form the government via a simple majority, observers and citizens are generally cautious on how the country would move on from her. Understandably, thanks to years of repeated brainwashing, the spectre of May 13 1969 weighs heavy on the thoughts of many. Do not worry. This time, we Malaysians as a whole have to much to lose to allow such senseless incident to happen. After all, history is man's greatest teacher!

Judging from the columns and reports in the mainstream media (propaganda machine of the government), the spin-doctors are scrambling to come up with credible reasons for the heavy slap in the face. Gerakan, MIC and MCA lost big-time; UMNO too lost credibility. The loss of Perak, Selangor and Perak were the least expected, though there were some rumours early last week that Kedah and Perlis might fall to the opposition. Selangor and Perak are surprising catches for the Opposition. The question is now how the Government, and foreign investors would react to the changed political landscape. Well, there will be the usual knee-jerk reaction but things would eventually stabilise.

How would I expect the Government to react? No different. It will be business as usual. They can ostracise one state like Kelantan...but to do the same to another four states, with one of them in the Malay heartland would be like digging their own political graves. I expect all projects and developments to carry on as planned, especially the NCER, lest more ammo is given to the Opposition four years down the road. Would Selangor and Perak be marginalised? Most definitely not. In my opinion, I expect even more effort be put in by the BN as well as the victorious Opposition to win the hearts of the populace in all five states - you can say we will have the best of both worlds.

The political future of Gerakan and MIC, and to a smaller extent MCA, is not so clear however. UMNO would be badly shaken up as well. They had not expected the swing in the Malay votes and had counted heavily on it to retain their 2/3 majority. Whether this would herald a more conciliatory UMNO or otherwise remains to be seen. One thing is clear for sure...there'll be big changes this year. I just hope that it is for the better.

I guess this is what you get when you treat Malaysians for fools. They keep blaming the rise in essential items, food etc. as being the cause of their loss. I opine that is not the case. It is the sheer arrogance of UMNO and timidity of its so-called comrades-in-arms that led to its defeat. It's simple: they have failed to tackle the basic problems that faced the country - corruption, crime, sheer wastage of taxpayers funds and loss of competitiveness - and instead thumbed their noses at the rakyat by acting roughshod over the BERSIH and HINDRAF gathering. Oi, Bodowi...we are not so stupid anymore! And we must of course congratulate the alternative media, such as the Internet, for the transmission of credible news! Without it, we would still be hearing and believing the lies as we had for many years!

One thing I'm very excited about though - once we Malaysians throw off the yoke of May 13, there is a possibility that the Opposition may give BN a run for their money at the next election. Once people see that Opposition gaining control of the states does not lead to chaos, BN would have lost their trump card they have used all these years. Of course this depends on how the Opposition does over the next five years - I believe they would not waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There is time for celebration. But they better get to work soon because there is so much work to be done.

But let's just savour this day a bit longer Malaysia...

Momentous Occasion

What a night...for the Opposition that is. At last count, they have retained Kelantan and wrested four other states: Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor!!! Such a result must be unthinkable and a pleasant surprise to many!

And they have done it: denied BN their 2/3 majority in the Parliament. UMNO, MCA and MIC lost big time - obviously MIC and MCA the worse of the three. A few cabinet ministers lost their seats; the Opposition big shots generally came out unscathed.

I certainly hope this heralds a new Malaysia. A better Malaysia for Malaysians.

Opposition Tide

There's no stopping it now. As of 11 p.m. tonight, the Opposition has taken Penang and Kedah, and retained Kelantan. A lot of big guns have fallen - including Kok Tsu Koon, Samy Vellu, Tan Chai Ho, Shahrizat and Zam Zam Alakazam... The Opposition leaders have generally won their seats.

So, now will BN listen?

Done

All it took was five minutes. The voting was done. No indelible ink. The serial number is still there...as if I care a damn. No surprises. More and more people were turning up at my polling centre - both young and old alike. But peaceful nonetheless.

Who did I vote for? I'm a young, urban, Chinese professional - that should answer the question, shouldn't it?

All Set!

The stage is set. Everybody seems to be raring to go. Today is the big day...the decision is in the hands of 10 million Malaysian voters.

Will we, the people, deny BN their 2/3 majority? Will we, the people, give enough votes to the Opposition to form the next government? Or will we, the people, cower meekly and surrender ourselves and our country to the rape and plunder of BN for another five years?

Tonight, we shall know the answer...

Shocker again!

Hot off the press!! Just a few months after declaring the use of indelible ink in Sturday's general election, comes this shocking declaration by the Election Comission: EC decides against indelible ink

If this doesn't give more ammo to the Opposition, I don't know what will! The Election Comission officials keep shooting themselves in the foot; after being praised for implementing such an action to ensure fair voting practices, retracting it citing such pathetic excuses could only damage it's already battered credibility!! After all, wasn't tax payer's money used to buy 47,000 bottles of the ink for use during the election? What are they gonna use it for? Fountain pens???

God, I wonder what is next?

Another Shocker!

Wow, the battle for hearts and minds of voters are really heating up!! Now comes another little piece of shocking news about the recently announced RM 350m Motorola investment in Penang!

A RM 1b contract in return for RM 350m reinvestment? Wonder where this people learn their arithmetic from? And of course, with the purported letter being dated Dec 3 2007, we all know that such decisions are obviously politically motivated! Well, at least it's Gerakan arm-twisting UMNO for a change!!

Malaysia Boleh!? Koh-Tsu Koon style?

Mind Boggling

God...imagine my surprise when I looked at the full page advertisement taken out by BN on the five Economic corridors...too bad I can't find a pic of it anywhere on the Net yet! Will have to go back and take it the old-fashioned way! But here's the gist of it:

IDR: RM 382b
NCER: RM 178b
ECER: RM 112b
SCORE: RM 334b
SDC: RM 105b

Hey don't need to take out your calculators...they even counted it for you: RM 1.1 trillion ringgit!! Another Malaysia Boleh! project by BN, but would most probably end up Malaysia Tak Boleh...

Finally, a little piece from a Little Bird...

Two Sides To A Story

And the BN claims that media reporting in this country is fair? Day in and day out, the mainstream media trumpets and blares the progress BN has brought and will bring, to this country. Come on, as if the discerning readers don't know that! While our country has progressed much, there is little to deny the fact that such progress has slowed to a snail's pace, if at all! So much for challenging the Tigers of Asia! Let's just make sure we don't get devoured in the increasingly competitive global savannah! Of course the Government will come out with a slew of only good news, from goodies dished out to the public to immediate approvals to requests that were denied for years - sometimes I feel the elections should be held every 2 years! Latest in this being none other than the sharp rise in GDP for 4Q 2007 - even the analysts were surprised at the strong showing! Personally I just wonder how much of it is true, and how much of it is fantasy!

So what of the opposition? Hmm, guess the only news worth reporting is bad news...maybe it's to reassure or more likely scare, the less discerning readers. The Opposition has little news space - perhaps 10% or so - the rest are all BN news. So how can the Government comment that only BN can govern this country and not the Opposition? Have they been given the opportunity? Please let all Malaysians know?

And please do not use Kelantan as an example...if BN rules Kelantan for 50 years I'm sure the development would still be marginal? Why? Because Kelantan has got no industry or natural resources!! And as much as BN wants to bring in development, they too will fail, despite their access to the country's coffers. There's this tendency to compare Kelantan and Terengganu: well there is a big difference though - Terengganu has got oil!! That makes a whole lot of difference - also let us not forget when PAS took over Terengganu briefly in 1999-2004, the government quickly denied the state government access to the petroleum royalties and denying us to see a chance of what could have been should the Opposition ruled a state! So let me ask again - who is to say that the Opposition can't rule?

Having said that, I do not believe the Opposition should attempt to topple BN this time around - they are too fragmented with their different manifestos, agendas and bickering. To deny Barisan their 2/3 majority is fine, but looks unlikely. There is just too much gerrymandering of the constituencies over the years to ensure that Barisan would retain control of the Parliament. Further more there would be the mis-use of postal votes, phantom voters etc. which the Elections Commissions is well-trained to ignore! At least no matter what they do, it is safe to say that Barisan would not repeat their performance of 2004 after an abject four years of Pak Lah rule...incidentally did he deliver on any of the promises made in his 2004 manifesto? Thye answer of course is overwhelmingly no! Perhaps the Opposition could bring the majority to 70-75% and anything less than that is a bonus!

However the Opposition's efforts are not helped much by the lack of funds and media attention; the only turf where they appear to be able to stand on their own seems to be in cyberspace. I guess you could say the increasingly only credible news is on sites such as Aliran, Harakah Daily, Malaysia Today and Malaysiakini. Seems that certain cyber-criminals have been tasked to bring down certain websites...without much success. Furthermore I believe the Opposition should not only talk about national issues, but also local issues as well - that is where the battle is and ultimately to be won. They should do their research prior to their speeches. And oh, the Opposition should also get some public-speaking consultants in to train their candidates to speak better!!

Come March 9 we will know how far the Opposition has come...but unfortunately not because of their own efforts but more of disappointment with the ruling coalition. What should happen after March 9? The three main Opposition parties should sit down and unite under a single banner; deliver on their promises, ensure that the BN do not have a free hand at amending laws/constitution as they have been doing; provide check-and-balance the disgruntled Malaysian voters want; create a shadow Cabinet (which has been conspicuously lacking for many a year) to show the Malaysian voters how they would handle the various issues compared to the government; and for Pete's sake, plan for the next election to give BN a run for their money!

I know where my vote lies this time around...I hope you know where yours are too!